Wedoany.com Report-Dec.13, The San Francisco Fire Department has completed the transition to non-PFAS turnout gear for its entire fleet, becoming the largest fire department in the United States to achieve this milestone.

The acquisition involved 1,100 sets of equipment, sufficient for every frontline suppression member, with the initial delivery arriving this month and full distribution scheduled by December 31, 2025.

Funding included a $2.35 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA, supplemented by departmental resources.

The department collaborated with textile specialist Milliken & Company and manufacturer Fire-Dex to source the gear.

"As the San Francisco Fire Department continues to lead in innovation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the health and safety of our members. Firefighting is inherently dangerous, and our personnel deserve access to the most modern, protective, and safest turnout gear available. Transitioning to PFAS-free equipment is a critical step in advancing our mission: safeguarding the public by ensuring our firefighters remain healthy and able to serve at their highest capacity," said SFFD Fire Chief Dean Crispen.

Chief Crispen added, "This distribution represents more than new gear, it reflects a strong, coordinated effort among the Fire Department, our elected leaders, SF Firefighters IAFF Local 798, and the SF Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation. Milliken and Fire-Dex rose to this challenge, demonstrating what is possible when partners are united by a shared purpose. This collaboration is what the residents and visitors of San Francisco expect and deserve. A protected workforce is the foundation of a protected community. By investing in the well-being of our firefighters, we strengthen the health, resilience, and safety of San Francisco as a whole."

The change aligns with a city ordinance enacted in May 2024 prohibiting PFAS in firefighter turnout gear, establishing a compliance deadline of June 30, 2026. The department advanced the timeline through proactive procurement and evaluation.

Selected equipment underwent extensive testing, including a 90-day field trial involving 50 firefighters in live fire scenarios at the department's training facilities. It holds UL certification and complies with NFPA 1971 standards for 2018 and 2025.

A key advancement enabling the transition was Milliken Assure™, introduced in October 2024 as North America's first non-PFAS, non-halogenated flame-resistant moisture barrier.

"A non-PFAS moisture barrier was the missing piece for departments wanting to move away from fluorinated chemicals," said Marcio Manique, SVP and Managing Director of Milliken's apparel business. "With Assure™, we refused to trade one hazard for another. It meets the strictest performance standards without adding weight or compromising breathability – giving firefighters exactly what they asked for."

Customization and ordering occurred through MES Life Safety, ensuring individual fitting for each member.

"Fire-Dex is honored to supply the San Francisco Fire Department with AeroFlex turnout gear featuring a non-fluorinated moisture barrier," said Jeff Koledo, Fire-Dex Vice President of Sales. "We're grateful to work alongside Milliken and MES in delivering this solution. Our goal has always been to provide fire departments across the country with options that meet their needs — and ultimately ensure they have the essential protection required to keep their communities safe."

Serving a population of approximately 1.5 million across 49 square miles, the SFFD operates 45 stations and handles an average of 180,000 emergency responses annually, ranking as the 10th largest fire department in the nation.