When firefighters remove their PPE after an incident, what should they do next?

After an incident, firefighters should prioritize inspecting their personal protective equipment (PPE) for thermal damage before proceeding with storage or cleaning. This step is crucial because it allows firefighters to assess whether the gear has sustained any damage that may compromise its performance in future incidents.

Thermal damage can include burns, melted components, or structural integrity issues that are not always visible. By conducting this inspection, firefighters can identify any necessary repairs or replacements to ensure their safety and effectiveness in subsequent operations.

Addressing the other options, while it might be tempting to store the PPE immediately, doing so without inspection could lead to undetected damage affecting future safety. Washing it in hot water could be inappropriate for certain materials or contaminants present on the gear, and drying equipment in direct sunlight could degrade the materials. Thus, inspecting for thermal damage becomes the first and necessary step after an incident.