Recently I spent two weeks in reserve training in Germany. My room had a wardrobe closet, desk, night stand, and a captain’s bed with a mattress, all of which were worn, somewhat clean and functional. Individuals brought their own bedding.

As I looked at the worn mattress, I wondered who the last person was to sleep on it and what he or she did while using it. How about everyone prior to that person? Did they use linens properly or where they just thrown on?

Firefighters, too, share mattresses, and while they know who they are sharing with, questions remain. What were firefighters sleeping in the last time they got into bed? Did they properly sanitize before lying down on their sheets or even worse on the mattress? Are you sharing pillows? Does any one drool?

There are a couple things to take into consideration, when choosing bedding and linens, each having their own strengths and weaknesses.

Mattresses come in a variety of shapes and construction. Firefighters' opportunities to sleep can be far and few between, so the importance of providing them a good mattress can allow them to get the most out of those times. You can find mattress from $100 to $5,000.

Mattress reviews are as different as the people who write them. Some like simple foam, some coil, air and special foam. Usually, you will find a medium firm coil mattress comes up as the popular choice for comfort, durability and price. Warranties range from five years to 20 years; a typical commercial warranty is 10 years and this should be a target to look for. Sometimes the only difference between commercial and residential mattresses is the price and construction. Beware of manufacturers who simply raise the price and lengthen the warranty, but do little if anything to make the bed better.

You can buy mattresses that are covered with vinyl, polyester, cotton/poly blend and cotton or even a combination of all of these. Vinyl may give you the best “protection” against mattress wear and is probably the least expensive. Cotton on the other end would be the most comfortable and most expensive while providing the least protection for the mattress. I would suggest a cotton/poly blended mattress and use a mattress cover to protect the mattress.

The mattress support system can provide varying degrees of support. Most agree a medium firm mattress is a good starting point. I personally have switched from a coil spring to an adjustable air system and have been completely satisfied. Now, my wife and I are the only ones who sleep on it beside the occasional dog who sneaks up in the night, so my opinion is limited to two.

Mattress covers can provide one of the best levels of protection for your firefighter. They can range from simple vinyl slip on covers to blended covers that actually zip onto the mattress and can be removed, washed and reused. In today’s environment this often can be the most effective means of protecting firefighters.

Most mattress covers are put on the mattress before the base sheet and can be taken off with the sheets after being used. Each firefighter have his or her own mattress cover that has a moisture barrier at the minimum and a level of antimicrobial protection for the best protection. This allows firefighters to see if the mattress has been damaged or soiled and provides them with a level of self protection.

There are literally dozens of options for your linens. The linens your firefighters are sleeping are the first line of defense to what ever may be lurking on the mattress. At the same time, they need to be comfortable enough to sleep on. Typically you are looking at three options: 100% cotton, some cotton/polyester blend and 100% polyester (not very comfortable). Hospitals often use a blended fabric for their patient beds, allowing for a level of comfort and durability. This is usually a safe choice for your firefighter also and can be purchased just about any were.

No bed would be complete without the pillow. Again firefighters should each have their own.

Tod Owens is the national sales manager for Bulldogg Tuff.