The legal action seeks to hold the NFPA liable for standard requiring “forever chemicals” in fire fighter gear 

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) filed a lawsuit today against the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for its role in imposing a testing standard that effectively requires the use of carcinogens in fire fighter protective gear. The case, International Association of Fire Fighters v. National Fire Protection Association, Inc., was filed in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. 

Toxic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in fire fighter bunker gear and have been linked to cancer, the leading cause of fire fighter death. Nearly 75 percent of those honored at the 2022 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died of occupational cancer. 

• NFPA Rejects Appeal from IAFF on Firefighter PPE and PFAS
• Researcher Responds to Claims About PFAS, Firefighter PPE
• It’s Time for Firefighters to Demand PFAS-Free PPE
• Your Gear, Your Life: Firefighter PPE Toxins and What to Do About Them
• Hacking Your PFAS Exposure

The complaint seeks to hold the NFPA liable for its Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (Standard 1971). The standard – which establishes minimum levels of protection from thermal, physical, environmental, and biological hazards faced during firefighting – calls for using PFAS in the middle moisture barrier of fire fighter bunker gear to satisfy the NFPA’s Ultraviolet Light Degradation Test. The standards committee deliberately chose the time of exposure to UV light. A shorter exposure time would allow numerous other materials to pass, but a longer exposure time would allow no materials to pass. The set 40 hours is the threshold where only PFAS passes, meaning all fire fighters must wear bunker gear laden with dangerous chemicals.  

“The very gear designed to protect fire fighters, to keep us safe, is killing us,” said IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “Standard 1971 needlessly requires the use of PFAS in fire fighter gear. Even when presented with independent science on the health and safety risks, the NFPA has refused to help save our lives. The IAFF has a duty to protect our members’ health and their families’ wellbeing.” 

The IAFF has retained three nationally recognized law firms, Motley Rice LLC; Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC; and Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo P.C., in its effort to combat cancer in the fire service. The firms, collectively known as the PFAS Law Firms, are available to assist IAFF members made sick by PFAS exposure at work.  

“The NFPA has a unique role in promulgating standards that eliminate fire-related deaths and personal injuries while also protecting fire firefighters. Our client alleges NFPA conspired with the PFAS industry and abdicated its solemn obligation to North American fire fighters and it seeks to stop this alleged conduct,” stated T. David Hoyle, Motley Rice attorney.

“Getting cancer i

The Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department has a new $500,000 tender, pqbnews.com reported.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) announced the new arrival, which was purchased to replace the current tender.

The new truck was made possible through a partnership between the RDN, the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department and the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department Society, the report said.

With input from the DVFD and other fire service representatives, Fort Garry Fire Trucks designed and built the truck in 18 months, with a number of unique specifications, the report said. The new truck carries 2,000 gallons of water, a 500-gallon increase over the current 1997 GMC tender, according to the report.

Wilmington Fire Chief Andy Mason told WKRC how the firefighters freed the man.

Firefighters rescued a 77-year-old victim entrapped in corn in a bin in the 3800 block of Stone Road in Sabina at about 11:15 a.m. Monday.

• Nominate a Rural Fire Department to Receive Life-Saving Grain Bin Equipment

The farm worker entered the grain bin to investigate a potential leak. Firefighters attempted to remove the man from the top of the bin after placing a rescue tube around him.

But eventually firefighters had to cut holes in the bin to let corn out to lower the levels enough to extricate the man.

He was transported to the hospital, but remained conscious and communicating with firefighters throughout the rescue.

PRESS RELEASE

PACIFIC GROVE – Calif. (March 13, 2023) – California American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, announced today that the Foundation awarded a $25,000 State Strategic Impact Grant to the Monterey County Fire Training Officer’s Association for the purchase of a Pump Pod recirculating training tool.

The Pump Pod training apparatus will greatly enhance the safety and training of our local firefighters while also saving our communities millions of gallons of water. The apparatus will enable firefighters to train with full-flow water pressure that can be deployed to individual battalions, eliminating the need to curtail water service during training exercises. This new system will significantly increase training hours while reducing time and costs related to these exercises.

“Being a good neighbor in our local community has always been an important part of who we are as a company,” said Chris Cook, Director of Operations. “Working with California American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation to bring much needed resources to our local community is very rewarding for all of us.” 

Benefits derived from the training apparatus is that it could save millions of gallons of water each year using its innovative water recirculating design and construction. In just two days of training operations since receiving the training apparatus, Monterey Fire has saved 25,000 gallons of water using the Pump Pod.

The State Strategic Impact Grant is part of the Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.  These grants support high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water’s regulated footprint.

This significant water saving measure is consistent with California American Water’s robust conservation programs which encourage efficient water use.

For more information on California American Water’s conservation programs visit www.amwater.com/caaw/conservation/ 

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About California American Water

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to more than 725,000 people. Information regarding California American Water’s service areas can be found on the company’s website www.californiaamwater.com.

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs approximately 6,500 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to an estimated 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and diversityataw.com. Follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.