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4th Alarm-Resc of Englishtown, N.J., offers what it describes as "the all-in-one decontamination solution" — the First Responder Decontamination System, manufactured by Zodiac Aerospace, located in Wall Township, New Jersey.

The system fits into a 150-pound rolling case measuring 45 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 21 inches high. From that, it inflates into a dual decontamination and redress shelter about the size of twin telephone booths, (8 by 10 feet), allowing this unit can fit into a hallway when completely set up. A single responder can set it up within 10 minutes.

Inflation can be achieved either using an electric inflator (provided) or a firefighter's SCBA bottle or compressor. Properly secured using water filled ballast or other stability options, FRDS can withstand heavy wind gusts reaching as high as 40 miles per hour. The system includes five shower heads that each delivers up to 2.5 gallons per minute, depending on the incoming water supply. The shower heads can be rotated in any direction and turned on or off as needed.

Firefighters can use a fire truck for a water supply by using a hose adapter regulating down to a garden hose size. Some types of decon are more vigorous than others, depending on the adhesive strength of the contaminant. FRDS comes with two or more openings or windows permitting access to the person being deconned to help with the removal of the product and/or clothing. The subject stands on a grating that allows contaminated water to safely drained away by means of a sump pump. High end shelters in the FRDS product line come with LED lighting and its own electrical transformer.

Once decon is completed, the subject moves into a separate area of the shelter to dry and get dressed. The shelter can be air conditioned or heated as the weather demands.

FRDS comes with a patch kit in case of minor punctures. For more extensive damage, the shelter is protected by a unique warranty that covers any system faults and an extended warranty, which comes into play upon purchase. Deconning the decon shelter is usually a simple matter of water and soap or some disinfecting agent. If the contamination is more extensive, the urethane coated vinyl canopy portion of the shelter can be replaced.