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 t...
Click here for full text