TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: November 25, 2024 Report No. FIRE-24-005
TO: Council
FROM: Matt Furlot, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: PFAS-free Turn-out Gear Replacement
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve the replacement of firefighters’ primary turnout gear with PFAS-free alternatives through utilization of the existing 2024 fire department budget and $75,000 from the Township’s contingency account.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Fire Chief requests the approval to replace firefighters’ primary turnout gear with funding to come from the existing 2024 fire department budget and the Township’s contingency account. Current gear contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), chemicals associated with cancer and other health risks. Switching to PFAS-free turnout gear will provide safer, modernized protection for firefighters and align with our commitment to workplace health and safety.
BACKGROUND:
The presence of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in firefighter turnout gear has become a significant health and safety concern for fire services worldwide. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in various industries due to their ability to resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Known as "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment and human body without breaking down, PFAS have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, immune suppression, and other serious health effects.
In recent years, the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) and the Fire Chiefs Association of BC (FCABC) have worked together to address these risks. Studies reveal that PFAS are present in all three layers of firefighters’ turnout gear - the outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. These chemicals can leach or shed from the material over time, potentially exposing firefighters to PFAS through skin absorption, inhalation, or ingestion. Significantly, this exposure risk exists even before the gear is subjected to the high heat of a fire.
To address these concerns, British Columbia has made strides at both organizational and legislative levels:
1. Health and Safety Awareness
Firefighters in BC are already recognized under 20 presumptive occupational cancers, which means they are eligible for compensation if diagnosed with certain types of cancer associated with their work. New research indicates PFAS exposure may be a critical factor in increasing the risk of these cancers, as well as other long-term health issues.
2. Legislative Actions
In March 2024, Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, introduced a Private Members Bill, the Firefighter Protection Act, which mandates the following:
• By December 31, 2025, employers must provide PFAS-free fire suppression foam and prohibit PFAS-containing foam.
• By January 1, 2029, all fire departments must transition to PFAS-free personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Protocols must be established to protect firefighters from PFAS exposure until the transition is complete.
At the federal level, Canada’s Bill C-224 aims to establish a National Framework for Cancers linked to Firefighters, further highlighting the link between PFAS exposure and occupational cancer risk. This bill supports extending cancer coverage for firefighters and emphasizes the importance of addressing known carcinogens like PFAS in firefighter equipment.
3. Industry Movement Towards PFAS-Free Gear
For many years, there were no viable PFAS-free turnout gear options that met the safety standards required for firefighter equipment. In mid-2024, however, PFAS-free certified turnout gear became available through major manufacturers. The Vancouver Fire Department was the first in BC to initiate PFAS-free gear replacement, with several other municipalities working towards similar goals.
Recognizing these advancements, Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) deferred its regular 2024 gear replacement and prioritized budget efficiencies, anticipating the availability of safe PFAS-free alternatives. With PFAS-free turnout gear now on the market, EFRS seeks Council’s support to expedite the replacement of primary turnout gear sets to reduce PFAS exposure and safeguard firefighter health.
ANALYSIS:
The proposal to replace firefighters’ primary turnout gear with a PFAS-free alternative has been carefully evaluated, considering health implications, budget impacts, operational needs, and long-term safety goals. Key factors include:
1. Health Implications of PFAS Exposure
Firefighters are at a higher risk of certain cancers compared to the general population, with cancer causing 72% of firefighter deaths in the International Association of Fire Fighters in 2023, and nearly 94% in Canada. PFAS exposure through turnout gear is believed to exacerbate this risk. The new PFAS-free alternatives align with emerging health standards and industry best practices for reducing occupational hazards.
2. Usage Patterns of Primary vs. Secondary Gear
EFRS firefighters are issued two sets of turnout gear-a primary and a secondary set. The primary set is used approximately 90% of the time, while the secondary set serves as a backup during decontamination or cleaning of the primary set. By prioritizing PFAS-free primary gear replacement, EFRS can significantly reduce daily PFAS exposure. Secondary sets, while also containing PFAS, are used less frequently and can be phased out gradually as budget allows or through potential future grant funding.
3. Availability and Cost of PFAS-Free Turnout Gear
PFAS-free turnout gear is now available through all major manufacturers, meeting NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards and firefighter safety requirements. EFRS’s preferred provider, Brogan Fire & Safety, offers “Globe” brand PFAS-free turnout gear at $4,578 per set - $300 more than the current PFAS-containing gear. Replacing the primary sets for EFRS’s firefighters will cost $149,000 in total.
4. Current Budget Status and Additional Request
• Operational Savings: EFRS has achieved approximately $50,000 in operational savings this year, which is intended to help cover the cost of turnout gear replacement.
• Deferred 2024 Budget: An additional $25,000 is available from the postponed 2024 turnout gear replacement budget.
• Total Budget Available: With a combined total of $75,000 from these savings, EFRS currently has about 50% of the funds needed for the primary set replacement. To fully fund the replacement, an additional $75,000 is required.
5. Comparative Municipal Initiatives
Other BC fire departments are also moving toward PFAS-free gear replacements. Vancouver Fire Department’s adoption of PFAS-free gear is one example of a growing trend in municipalities prioritizing firefighter health and safety through proactive PFAS reduction.
6. Long-Term Strategy for Secondary Gear Replacement
While this proposal focuses on the primary set replacement, EFRS’s long-term goal is to replace secondary gear as well. If grant funding becomes available, a faster replacement cycle for the secondary sets could be feasible. Otherwise, secondary gear replacement will proceed through regular budget planning over the coming years.
By supporting the PFAS-free primary turnout gear replacement, Council will align EFRS with industry best practices, reduce immediate health risks, and set the stage for a safer, PFAS-free future in firefighter personal protective equipment.
OPTIONS:
Option 1 (Recommended):
Motion: That Council approve the replacement of firefighters’ primary turnout gear with PFAS-free alternatives through utilization of the existing 2024 fire department budget and $75,000 from the Township’s contingency account.
Option 2:
Motion: That Council approve the replacement of firefighters’ primary and secondary sets of turnout gear, fully eliminating PFAS exposure from turnout gear at a total cost of $300,000 with funding of $75,000 from the existing fire department budget, $75,000 from the Township’s contingency account in 2024 as well as a supplemental request of $150,000 in the 2025 financial plan.
Option 3:
Motion: That Council decline the funding request, allowing PFAS-free turnout gear replacement to occur over the next 10 years through the regular budget cycle, maintaining current PFAS exposure until full replacement is complete.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Good Governance and Organizational Excellence
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Each set of PFAS-free turnout gear costs $4,578. If Council approves the replacement of primary turnout gear, the $150,000 purchase would require $75,000 from the existing fire department budget and the remaining $75,000 to be funded from the Township’s contingency account. If Council approves the replacement of both the primary and secondary sets of turnout gear, in addition to funding the initial $150,000 purchase, an additional $150,000 would be requested within the 2025 financial plan which would represent a tax revenue increase.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
No public notification is required as turnout gear replacement is a routine function within the fire department.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
Projected Timeline if PFAS-Free Gear Ordered
• Order Date: November 26, 2024
• Manufacturing Time: 4-5 months
• Delivery: April 2025
• Payment Due: May 2025
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Joint Statement Regarding PFAS in Fire Fighter Turnout Gear, June 1, 2023.
2. Quotation from Brogan Fire & Safety, dated October 30, 2024