City Council Approves Funding for Firefighter Gear-Cleaning System

**Key Facts** • Jacksonville City Council approved $31.5 million for JSO and JFRD projects October 15, 2026 • $2 million allocated for waterless liquid CO2 gear-cleaning system for firefighters • Technology removes toxic contaminants including carcinogens from turnout gear • System eliminates drying time, allowing immediate return to service • JFRD held memorial in 2025 for firefighters Ian Church and Jason Woodruff, who died from cancer • Part of ongoing city investment in firefighter safety following earlier station renovations and wash facility projects

## What Happened

Jacksonville City Council approved nearly $31.5 million October 15, 2026, to go toward three major projects for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. One of those projects will provide JFRD with a CO2 removal system that Fire Chief Percy Golden said will add another layer of safety to the department's firefighter gear-cleaning routine, according to Action News Jax.

The City Council vote approved $2 million for the new system. According to Chief Golden, the technology will help remove contaminants from firefighters' turnout gear and reduce the amount of time it takes for the gear to be ready again. The system uses liquid CO2 that converts to gas during the cleaning process to strip contaminants from fabric without using water.

The waterless method means gear requires no drying time before it can be issued again, Golden explained. This contrasts with traditional water-based washing, which requires significant drying time and can leave residual moisture in protective layers.

## Background and Context

Fire Chief Percy Golden framed the purchase as a direct response to cancer risk among firefighters. According to Golden's statement to Action News Jax, cancer is a significant risk for firefighters because they are exposed to toxic chemicals while responding to contaminated scenes. The CO2 cleaning system is designed to mitigate that risk by more thoroughly removing carcinogenic compounds from gear.

The purchase follows personal losses for JFRD. Golden noted that the department held a memorial in 2025 after two firefighters, Ian Church and Jason Woodruff, lost their lives to cancer. The fire chief described the CO2 system as a major safety priority for Jacksonville firefighters in the wake of those losses.

The health threat is well-documented in fire service research. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hazardous substances can transfer from firefighters' gear to their skin, equipment, and fire stations. The CDC notes that properly cleaning, removing, bagging, and storing gear can help limit exposure. A peer-reviewed analysis published in the National Institutes of Health database found that washing procedures currently required under National Fire Protection Association standards can be less effective because of the limited intensity of washing conditions used.

Traditional water-based washing has serious limitations, according to manufacturers of liquid CO2 cleaning systems. Water washing fails to remove certain toxins including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), weakens protective qualities of turnout gear over time, and produces hazardous wastewater. Liquid CO2 cleaning systems use a closed-loop process that removes up to 99 percent of specific contaminants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFAS, heavy metals, and biological hazards, according to manufacturer specifications.

Because liquid CO2 has lower surface tension and viscosity than water, it penetrates deeper into fibers and removes contaminants at a microscopic level. The CO2 is drained, converted back to gas, and recaptured for future cycles. This ensures no hazardous wastewater is produced and fire departments remain compliant with PFAS and other toxin disposal regulations.

The October 2026 City Council approval is not Jacksonville's first recent investment in firefighter equipment and safety. In March 2025, according to News4Jax, the city said it intended to reinvest nearly $8 million in unused 2023-2024 budget funds into projects for JFRD and the University of North Florida. The largest share of that package, $4 million, went toward renovations at two fire stations. Another $692,823 was set aside to build a personal protective equipment wash facility at 2610 Fairfax Street designed to follow NFPA standards for washing and inspecting gear.

In 2025, JFRD also sought bids for 37 large-capacity washer-extractors to be delivered to stations by May 1, 2026, according to city procurement records. Those machines provide on-site washing capacity at individual fire stations. The new CO2 system approved in October 2026 represents a more advanced cleaning technology to supplement or replace water-based washing.

## How This Affects Jacksonville Residents

The CO2 cleaning system is designed to protect firefighter health by reducing carcinogen exposure. Healthier firefighters mean a more effective fire department response for Jacksonville residents. The system also shortens gear turnaround time, ensuring firefighters have clean, ready-to-use protective equipment available at all times.

Cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters nationwide, according to fire service research. By investing in contamination-removal technology, Jacksonville is addressing an occupational health crisis that affects fire departments across the country.

The city's multi-year investment in firefighter safety infrastructure includes station renovations, wash facilities, on-site washing equipment, and now advanced CO2 cleaning systems. These projects reflect an ongoing commitment to firefighter health and operational readiness.

## What You Can Do

Jacksonville residents can support firefighter health and safety by understanding the risks firefighters face and advocating for continued investment in protective equipment and decontamination technology.

Residents who want to learn more about JFRD operations or express support for firefighter safety initiatives can contact the department or attend City Council meetings where budget and equipment purchases are discussed. City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 117 West Duval Street.

In an emergency, residents should call 911. For non-emergency fire safety questions or to request a smoke alarm installation, residents can call 630-CITY (2489).

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Why is cancer such a significant risk for firefighters?** Firefighters are exposed to toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and hazardous substances during fire suppression. These contaminants cling to turnout gear long after the fire is out and can transfer to skin, equipment, and fire stations. According to the CDC, proper gear cleaning and handling can help limit exposure. Research shows that traditional washing methods do not fully remove carcinogenic compounds such as PAHs and PFAS.

**How does liquid CO2 cleaning work?** Liquid CO2 cleaning uses carbon dioxide in liquid form that converts to gas during the cleaning process. The CO2 penetrates fibers at a microscopic level and removes contaminants more thoroughly than water. Because the system is waterless, gear emerges dry and ready for immediate use. The CO2 is recaptured in a closed-loop system, producing no hazardous wastewater.

**Will this replace traditional washing at fire stations?** The $2 million CO2 system approved in October 2026 will supplement JFRD's existing washing capacity. In 2025, JFRD procured washer-extractors for individual stations and built a dedicated PPE wash facility. The CO2 system represents advanced cleaning technology that may be used for more thorough decontamination, while station-based washing provides day-to-day cleaning capability.

**When will the CO2 system be operational?** The City Council approved funding October 15, 2026. A timeline for procurement, installation, and deployment has not been announced. Residents can monitor JFRD announcements and City Council meetings for updates on implementation.

## Resources

**Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department** • Emergency: 911 • Non-Emergency / Fire Safety: 630-CITY (2489) • Smoke Alarm Installation Requests: 630-CITY (2489) • Website: myjfrd.com **City of Jacksonville** • City Council: 117 West Duval Street • Council Meetings: Second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. • 630-CITY (2489) / 311 for city services **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention** • Firefighter Health and Safety Resources • Occupational Cancer Information