Lakeland’s California PPE Launches First CO₂ Turnout Gear Cleaning System in Riverside
Event summary
- California PPE, a Lakeland Industries subsidiary, launched California’s first CO₂ turnout gear cleaning system in Riverside on September 16, 2026.
- The DualPhase Clean process combines water-based cleaning with CO₂ technology, removing up to 90%+ of heavy metals and 99.9% of VOCs, exceeding NFPA 1850 standards.
- The system was leased from Tersus Solutions under an agreement announced in February 2026.
- California PPE will host an open house on October 14, 2026, to showcase the technology to fire departments.
The big picture
Lakeland’s move underscores the growing emphasis on firefighter safety and PPE longevity, as regulatory and health concerns drive demand for advanced decontamination solutions. With California housing the largest firefighter population in the U.S., this launch positions Lakeland to capture a significant share of the independent service provider market. The strategic partnership with Tersus Solutions further strengthens Lakeland’s ability to scale this technology nationwide.
What we're watching
- Adoption Pace
- How quickly fire departments will integrate CO₂ decontamination into their PPE maintenance routines, given the system’s superior contaminant removal rates.
- Market Expansion
- Whether Lakeland can replicate this model in other high-risk fire markets, leveraging its existing distribution network.
- Regulatory Impact
- The extent to which NFPA 1850 standards may evolve to mandate higher decontamination thresholds, influencing ISP investments.