PFAS-free bunker gear is one step closer to reality, thanks to concerted efforts from the IAFF at the recent National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
A group of IAFF delegates, led by General President Edward Kelly, attended the meeting to have the IAFF’s voice heard on critical health and safety issues. NFPA voting members were considering several Certified Amending Motions (CAMs) – attempts to change a final draft Standard from the technical committee’s recommendation – to NFPA 1970, which governs fire fighter protective gear and equipment. The draft would create a list of restricted substances for manufacturers and remove the moisture barrier UV light degradation test, which has effectively required the use of toxic PFAS in bunker gear.
“Any standard governing the gear we put on every day must make fire fighter health and safety its highest priority. If we aren’t able to do this dangerous job as safely as possible, the communities we serve suffer. Industry special interest groups have long profited from putting us in gear that makes us sick,” said Kelly. “That’s why the IAFF was in Orlando last week, ensuring that our concerns were taken seriously while also demonstrating our commitment to this zero-fail mission.”
One CAM, submitted by chemical manufacturer 3M, would have delayed the publication of a new Standard 1970 by up to two years.
“Advancements in health and safety must be rooted in medical science, not the interests of manufacturers,” said Dr. Dan Whu, MD, the IAFF’s Chief Medical Officer. “Continuing to require a UV light test of the bunker gear’s moisture barrier, which is not exposed to UV light, does nothing other than needlessly increase our member’s cancer risks through exposure to carcinogenic PFAS within our PPE.
“At a time when innovative PFAS-free options are nearing market readiness,” he added, “the continued support of a standard that implicitly mandates the use of known carcinogens in bunker gear is grossly irresponsible.”
Subject matter experts from the IAFF successfully convinced 3M to withdraw its CAM, preventing a setback that would have sent the draft Standard back to committee and restarted the entire revision process.
In a separate CAM addressing proper cleaning of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA), the IAFF and 3M found common ground, agreeing to work together on a concurrent Temporary Interim Amendment (TIA) that will allow the industry to meet the changing dynamics of exposure protection. The solution will provide fire fighters with quicker access to guidance on maintaining their SCBAs.
For too long, these standards have served industry first and fire fighters second. Our health and safety are too important for the IAFF to sit quietly while manufacturers decide our fate. We are in a long and hard battle, and it will take all of our resources, as well as help from our friends. Our fight is just, and the well-being of today’s and tomorrow’s IAFF members depend on our determination.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly
The union was also successful in securing the withdrawal of several other CAMs that would have negatively impacted the issuing of a new Standard 1970. Several motions would have required “conclusive evidence” to initiate corrective action to any future fire fighter gear, a detrimentally high bar. The IAFF proposed new language, adopted by the technical committee, that allows for “scientifically supported evidence” of an identified hazard to trigger reporting and corrective measures. Additionally, the Standard will include clear definitions of the evidence required to substantiate the initiation of corrective action.
“By working with the maker of those CAMs, we’ve ensured the new standard will include a clear definition of scientifically supported evidence,” said Sean DeCrane, the IAFF’s Director of Health and Safety Operational Services. “This resolution gives fire fighters a mechanism to address any future chemical or physical hazards.”
IAFF staff is concurrently working with Cal Fire on a TIA to Standard 1970 regarding fire helmets, which contains overly stringent requirements. The expected result will allow for additional, more affordable equipment.
“For too long, these standards have served industry first and fire fighters second,” Kelly said. “Our health and safety are too important for the IAFF to sit quietly while manufacturers decide our fate. We are in a long and hard battle, and it will take all of our resources, as well as help from our friends. Our fight is just, and the well-being of today’s and tomorrow’s IAFF members depend on our determination.”
