Jo Taylor MBE, Director at De-Wipe, details the company’s growth into Australia, its work with UK airports, and how it is advancing firefighter decontamination 

De-Wipe has had a busy year—what have been the key achievements? 

It’s been very productive for us. De-Wipe Australia was formed and our business partners spent time in APAC promoting our products which were welcomed. We’re also supplying the aviation sector. Airports across the UK are adopting De-Wipe and following our protocol to keep personnel clean.

We designed an airside decontamination bag for anyone working around aircraft, where oils and vapours during refuelling can create carcinogens. Airports have been quick to bring this into their routine, rather than focusing only on substances from fires or training scenarios. 

We also visited Intersec in Dubai and AFAC in Australia, took part in events like ESS 2024 and UK Metals Expo 2024 and have grown to supply over 20 countries. In June, we attended a conference at Gatwick Airport.

Jo Taylor

Our Scientific expert, Dr. Megson, explained how important it is to remove contaminants from skin. That’s where we introduced our airside operations bags. Airports such as Liverpool John Lennon, Manchester and Belfast International have put them into use.  

In September, we explored the metals sector at the UK Metals Expo, which was a new step for us and then headed to ESS. We heard more about higher rates of specific cancers among firefighters. Soon after, we went to the Brandwearevent 2024 in the Netherlands. Our firefighter Dutch representatives Dewipe.NL, spoke there about why education and decontamination help protect health and safety. 

Why is decontamination so important for firefighter safety? 

Firefighters face many carcinogens when they respond to incidents and high heat can make skin more absorbent. That allows toxins to sink in faster. Over the years, many retired firefighters have shared their own battles with cancer, which shows how real this concern is.  

We’ve been raising awareness since 2018, along with people like John Lord, who also highlights these dangers. More education is still needed so everyone sees this risk clearly. The process of removing carcinogens from the skin right after exposure is one of the most effective ways to reduce the chance of serious illness. 

What does winning Outstanding Safety Solution Award at Intersec 2025 mean for De-Wipe? 

We’re excited to be recognised, especially in the Middle East, where we have a growing customer base. This has helped more people realise how dangerous contamination can be. The award shows we offer a genuine solution for a widespread problem.  

It also encourages distributors who might be hesitant to reach out. We’ve never just put a firefighter’s photo on a package—we developed something backed by research. It’s taken us years to spread the word, so having that effort acknowledged is very welcome. Winning this has opened new doors for us and confirmed that all our work to inform others has been worthwhile. 

How has De-Wipe supported the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service? 

They spent £3.2 million on better protection for their teams. That plan included our wipes, since we’re the only scientifically proven option to remove carcinogens and toxins from skin. This step helps reduce the risk of bringing dangerous substances back into stations or homes.  

We also talk a lot about higher cancer rates among firefighters and explain how the right practices can address that problem.

Jo Taylor

Scotland took this on fully by rolling out De-Wipe in fire stations across the country. It’s good to see them leading the way and showing that prioritising decontamination can make a big difference in firefighter health. 

Could you talk about your work with airports like Belfast and Manchester? 

Belfast International Airport now uses our airside kits during and after every response. They also use them in training, which helps remove contaminants linked to aircraft operations. Meanwhile, Manchester Airport worked with us to create an airside contamination pack that includes wipes, hair and body wash and equipment wash. Heat in a callout can raise skin absorption, so our main focus is removing chemicals before they embed.  

Over 80% of airport fire and rescue services in the UK use De-Wipe products. We remind them it isn’t just about personnel—it’s also important to clean their gear.

Jo Taylor

That’s why we introduced equipment wash. It can extend the lifespan of helmets and uniforms and it reduces the danger of carrying contaminants back home. 

Your expansion into Australia is a big step – what opportunities do you see in that market? 

Australian firefighters deal with major wildfires, high temperatures and smoke on a regular basis. We set up De-Wipe Australasia with a partner, Paul Bennett, who connected us with FSRA Australia as a national distributor. Some stations were already using basic on-scene wipes but needed an effective hair and body wash, plus solutions for cleaning equipment.  

Cross-contamination was a concern as well. Our products filled that gap and we’ve seen that the cooling effect of our wipes is also welcome in extreme heat. We’re pleased to help address those needs and keep firefighters there safer. 

How can SNOMED help firefighters with early diagnosis? 

Having a SNOMED card means a firefighter can tell a doctor or nurse about their higher-risk job before an exam. That prompts extra checks for illnesses more common among firefighters. Many serious conditions can go unnoticed at first and early detection can be a lifesaver. We discuss SNOMED frequently because it motivates people to get regular screenings and notice problems earlier, rather than waiting until symptoms are severe. 

What are De-Wipe’s priorities for the coming year? 

We’re focusing on equipment hygiene. You can clean the skin, though if the equipment is still coated in toxins, cross-contamination will keep happening. Our new equipment wash can be mixed with water to clean everything from helmets to fabric items and major suppliers have approved it. We’re also testing laundering solutions so stations can handle a broader range of gear. By addressing both personal and equipment decontamination, we hope more firefighters will stay safe and avoid bringing hazards home. 

We would love to offer some trials to fire services – so if you would like to hear more about this, please get in touch! 

This article was originally published in the March 2025 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal – to read your FREE digital copy, click here.