Shared spaces, shared concern
Public places carry a particular weight after an incident. Parents, congregants, shoppers and staff will walk through the same space soon, and they deserve to find it clean and calm. Administrators also need to know the work was handled properly.
We clean after medical emergencies, injuries, assaults and other events in public settings across Nashville and Middle Tennessee, once police and, if needed, the medical examiner have released the site.
Places we are called to
- K-12 schools, colleges and childcare centers
- Churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship
- Parks, greenways, playgrounds and sports fields
- Retail stores, malls, grocery stores and restaurants
- Concert halls, arenas, theaters and event spaces
- Bus shelters, transit stations, libraries, municipal buildings, lobbies and public restrooms
Materials that are often affected
Public spaces are full of materials that absorb fluids and are hard to clean in place. Commercial carpet, acoustic ceiling tile, upholstered theater or pew seating, gym mats and playground mulch, soil or turf may need to be removed instead of cleaned. Hard flooring, metal fixtures, tile walls and benches can generally be cleaned and then disinfected with EPA-registered products used according to label directions.
We explain which approach fits each material and why, so you can make decisions about replacement and reopening.
Our approach at a public site
- Coordinate with the site lead After a first call to learn the location and who is in charge, we meet with the principal, pastor, facilities director or manager, confirm the area is released, and agree on timing and access.
- Secure the perimeter The affected zone is screened off from view where practical, with signage directing people around it.
- Clean and remove Protected technicians remove fluids and saturated materials, clean hard surfaces, and apply disinfectant for the full label contact time.
- Outdoor areas Where blood has reached mulch, soil, gravel or turf, the affected material is collected and bagged; concrete and asphalt are cleaned and treated.
- Close out We walk the area with your representative and provide a written description of the work for your files.
Communicating with your community
Many administrators want to tell parents, members or tenants that the space has been properly cleaned without sharing details of the incident. We can give you a plain description of the scope, the materials removed and the type of disinfectant used, which you are free to summarize in your own words.
We do not make public statements, post photos of your site, or place signage with our name on it. If you need us to arrive in a particular entrance or park away from the main doors, tell us and we will follow your instructions.
Discretion and timing
We can work after hours, between services, or before a school day begins so that the cleanup does not draw attention. Our team does not speak to the media or the public about the incident; all communication goes through you.
Until we get there
Keep people away from the area and cover it if possible with a tarp or cones. Avoid letting custodial staff clean blood without proper protective equipment and training, and do not pressure-wash outdoor areas, which can spread contamination across a wider surface.
Related services and referrals
If a public area also has discarded needles, our public area sharps removal service addresses those. Schools and universities can read more on our page for biohazard cleanup at schools and universities.
Replacing ceiling tile, carpet, seating or playground surfacing after removal goes to your usual vendors. Counseling for students, staff or congregants should be arranged through your district, denomination or local mental-health providers. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).