ResponderWash – Portable Washdown System Offers New Hope for Emergency Responder Safety
A new portable washdown system could soon provide firefighters and emergency responders with a critical tool to limit exposure to cancer-causing contaminants, bacterial exposure, and hyperthermia risk – right at the scene.
Developed by Resilience Logistic Solutions (RLS), an Alkath Group company, the aptly-named ResponderWash system is designed to be set up by two people, offering a fast, private way for emergency personnel to shed contaminated gear, wash down, and redress in clean clothes. The system will be officially launched on 9 July 2025 in South Nowra, New South Wales.
The system was conceived by an RLS management team member after witnessing multiple incidents where responders had no access to basic hygiene or privacy before returning to station – highlighting a critical gap in on-scene support.
Firefighting is linked to elevated rates of cancers like oesophageal, breast and leukaemia, with research highlighting the need for immediate washdown to lower risks to general population levels.
Following flood events, bacterial exposure and hyperthermia risk are significant concerns for emergency responders. Floodwaters are often contaminated with sewage, agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and decaying matter – posing serious infection risks.
The ResponderWash system supports on-scene washdown, helping to reduce cancer risk from lingering contaminants while also addressing exposure to harmful bacteria and managing hyperthermia in challenging field conditions. It aligns with growing health and safety initiatives across emergency services focused on protecting responders from long-term illness and immediate environmental hazards.
Australian-made in South Nowra, NSW and built to withstand harsh, remote environments, it features a 3m usable width at 3.3m height with three colour coded compartments including a “hot zone” for removing and bagging contaminated clothing via privacy airlocks, a “warm zone” with a LPG-powered warm shower using standard 4kg gas cylinder and a “cold zone” with an optional positive-pressure environment for redressing.
Deployable in under 30 minutes, the system is lightweight – each component requiring no more than a two-person lift – and is transportable on a ute, making it accessible for small units or strike teams.
Its intuitive design, with components familiar to volunteers from outdoor and camping contexts, ensures ease of use. The system is water-efficient, using as little as 80L (four 20L containers) to wash down about eight responders. Greywater is managed via collection containers, ensuring safe handling.
“Our vision is to ensure all first responders have access to private, in-field hygiene options at the scene – supporting their health and dignity as they work to protect lives and property. Just as catering is prioritised at major incidents, we believe hygiene support deserves equal focus as a vital element of responder health and wellbeing,” said Jason Chapman, Alkath Group’s Director of Strategy & Business Development.
“This is about solutions – we are focused on protecting the people who protect us as well as the environment.”
While not built for large-scale emergencies, its simplicity, affordability and alignment with Standard Operating Procedures and national cancer prevention initiatives could make ResponderWash a game-changer for both full-time and volunteer responders needing an immediate on-site solution.
