Backed by a $2.35M FEMA grant, the department is rolling out 1,100 sets of UL-certified, PFAS-free ensembles

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Fire Department is preparing to outfit its entire firefighting force with non-PFAS turnout gear, a move the agency says will make it the largest department in the country to fully transition away from PFAS-containing ensembles.

The department is using a $2.35 million FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant, along with matching city funds, to purchase about 1,100 sets of non-PFAS turnout gear, one per suppression member. SFFD partnered with Milliken & Company and Fire-Dex to outfit all frontline firefighters, with the rollout expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2025.

| MORE: A new age of PPE: PFAS, restricted substances and turnout 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,” Fire Chief Dean Crispen said. “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.”

Crispen said the rollout reflects a coordinated effort among SFFD leadership, city officials, IAFF Local 798, the SF Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation, Milliken and Fire-Dex, emphasizing that protecting firefighters’ health is essential to protecting the wider San Francisco community.

The rollout follows a May 2024 city ordinance that made San Francisco the first U.S. city to ban PFAS in turnout gear, setting a June 30, 2026, deadline for full replacement. In response, the department accelerated procurement and testing, including a 90-day wear trial with 50 firefighters during live-fire training. The gear is UL-certified and meets NFPA 1971-2018 and 1971-2025 standards.

While non-fluorinated outer shells and thermal liners were already on the market, a PFAS-free moisture barrier had remained a gap. That changed in October 2024, when Milliken introduced its Assure barrier, allowing Fire-Dex to produce a fully compliant, non-PFAS turnout gear ensemble for SFFD.

Milliken officials said Assure was developed to give departments a true non-PFAS option for the last remaining turnout gear layer, the moisture barrier, while still meeting strict performance standards without added weight or reduced breathability.

The fire department partnered with MES Life Safety to individually size and order Fire-Dex AeroFlex turnout gear for every firefighter.

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