General President Edward Kelly announced on Jan. 30 that the IAFF retained three nationally recognized law firms to change regulatory standards, demand PFAS-free gear, and be available to be retained by members and families seeking compensation for PFAS-related illness. PFAS “forever chemicals” are found in fire fighter protective gear and have been linked to cancer, the leading cause of fire fighter death.
He broke the news at the 2023 Affiliate Leaders Training Summit, which also featured the world premiere of the documentary Burned.
Here’s what people are saying:
Sending love to the entire team involved in #Burned, making its premiere at ALTS today. I’m proud to serve as a producer of this film that exposes the PFAS encapsulated in firefighter gear. Be sure to follow @ethereal__films & sign up for details and updates. pic.twitter.com/jOEeqi02Yr
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 30, 2023
History tells us that unions are the only effective voice working men and women have ever had to combat corporate greed. The @IAFFofficial will do whatever it takes to improve the lives and livelihoods of our members. pic.twitter.com/0GIPUPSzXr
— Edward A. Kelly (@IAFFPresident) January 31, 2023
The @IAFFofficial has been a leader in addressing occupational cancer in the fire service. Today we turn our attention to PFAS in our fire gear. We are motivated and energized to keep our members healthy and cancer free. #ALTS23. pic.twitter.com/YRYL2d83Hp
— Frank Líma IAFF General Secretary Treasurer (@IAFFGSTLima) January 30, 2023
In The News
The nation’s largest union of firefighters retained three law firms as it intensifies efforts to rid cancer-causing “forever chemicals” from personal protective equipment. https://t.co/UoXj5Hq1Kv
— Bloomberg Law (@BLaw) January 31, 2023
Firefighters’ union mounts legal push against "forever chemicals": "It stops now" https://t.co/Fe1yGYgd7S pic.twitter.com/EgnY0tmTSP
— The Hill (@thehill) January 30, 2023
Firefighters association discusses toxic PFAS in uniforms to raise awareness https://t.co/wcfQQ8aX51
— KSNV News 3 Las Vegas (@News3LV) January 31, 2023
Maine firefighters join the nationwide fight to secure PFAS free ‘turn out’ gear, amid concerns of health problems including cancer. The story at 6 tonight. @newscentermaine pic.twitter.com/BfYtMOmSjS
— Vivien Leigh (@vivienleigh6) January 30, 2023
Inspired by Worcester woman, national firefighters union takes action against PFAS in gear https://t.co/Km2hqhZVTT @BPetrishenTG @WorcesterFD @IAFFofficial pic.twitter.com/v1uqkfO6Xj
— telegramdotcom (@telegramdotcom) January 30, 2023
Life-saving equipment designed to protect firefighters has caused cancer for an unknown number of first responders, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters union. https://t.co/aplVpm2Rwd
— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) February 1, 2023
Around the IAFF
#IAFF fighting against having #PFAS in our bunker gear, great presentation at #ALTS23 with @IAFFPresident leading the way in this fight against #cancer.
— IAFF13thDistrict (@iaff13th) January 30, 2023
Powerful opening @ALTS2023 with @IAFFPresident highlighting our fight on PFAS & cancer killing our members. It’s a big & tough battle. But GP Kelly is David, the IAFF is the rock in the sling & we shall take down Goliath & make our job safer! @IAFFofficial
— Fred LeBlanc (@iaff13thdvp) January 30, 2023
#IAFF taking on the fight against #PFAS and #Cancer in the fire service #alts23 @IAFFPresident @IAFFofficial @IAFFGSTLima pic.twitter.com/o2f59ETzqB
— IAFF12thDistrict (@IAFF12thDVP) January 30, 2023
Thank you @IAFFPresident for leading this fight against cancer causing #PFAS in bunker gear and creating the #Burned documentary outlining the risk firefighters face. Our time at #ALTS23 has been educational and eye opening. Another great training seminar by @IAFFofficial https://t.co/9kte4xkNut
— Portland Maine Firefighters (@IAFFlocal740) February 1, 2023
As a Union, one of the best investments you can make is in your own people. The @IAFFofficial will always fight to protect the health and safety of its members.https://t.co/j6P9AUAdPi
— James Brown (@JBrownPFD1768) January 31, 2023
Well said @IAFFPresident Kelly! New Hampshire stands shoulder to shoulder with you and the @IAFFofficial Executive Board in this fight! #ALTS23 https://t.co/ColvvJ87VD
— PFFNH (@PFFNH) January 31, 2023
The @IAFFofficial taking bold action in support of our members. These law firms are tasked with changing regulatory standards, demanding PFAS-free gear and being able to be retained by members and families seeking compensation for PFAS-related illness.https://t.co/w1LXKkjOs4
— Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (@TheVaPFF) January 31, 2023
What do you do when the thing that is meant to protect you ends up harming you? #FIGHT the @iaff and it’s members will fight for justice and for change. https://t.co/np4G9sjvwE
— KingstonFirefighters (@KPFFA498) February 1, 2023
Firefighters are at a significantly higher risk to cancer than the rest of the population. PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are found in our firefighting gear. This needs to change. 🙏 @IAFFofficial & @MarkRuffalo for bringing attention where it is needed. https://t.co/LurXhxFvai
— Gig Harbor Firefighters Local 3390 (@GHfirefighters) January 31, 2023
If you haven’t heard, the @IAFFofficial and @IAFFPresident has waged war against the materials causing cancer in our members. #ALTS23 pic.twitter.com/SjCTm21Ev5
— Associated FF of Illinois (@AFFI1935) January 30, 2023
Last day of #ALTS23. Manufacters need to develope an alternative to PFAS for fire fighter gear. Start with limitting exposure to PFAS fire retardents. Re-evaluate Full bunker gear for all fire related calls. We can dress down to limit exposure. pic.twitter.com/0W5v6HcREP
— IAFF Local 302 (@IAFF302) February 1, 2023
World premiere of #Burned at @IAFFofficial #ALTS23. #cancer is the #1 cause of firefighter death. We must protect the protectors. #IAFF pic.twitter.com/Ju49PzEF06
— Luke Pedersen (@Luke_Pedersen_) January 30, 2023
1st day #ALTS23. Focusing on the the cancer causing PFAS chemical which is used in fire fighting gear. Fire fighters are experiencing higher rates of cancer and manufactures need to come up with alternatives. Being a Fire Fighter should not be a death sentence. pic.twitter.com/IirDR5efcw
— IAFF Local 302 (@IAFF302) January 30, 2023
With #ALTS2023 in the books, I'm reminded of a phrase championed by @IAFFPresident, "The mission of the @IAFFofficial starts in front of a church". That statement is our guiding light in our commitment to #TrainingforExcellence and it was on full display this week! @PFFPNC pic.twitter.com/CMQ7iKYrSH
— Jamie Burgess (@Burgess_947) February 2, 2023