By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- The East Millinocket Fire Department has become the first department in Maine to fully replace its turnout gear with PFAS-free protective equipment.
- The department used a $90,000 grant to outfit all 25 of its firefighters with the new gear.
- Traditional turnout gear has historically contained PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” linked to elevated cancer risk among firefighters.
- The transition reflects a broader push within the fire service to reduce firefighters’ exposure to PFAS-containing equipment.
- The department said the change is intended to help protect the long-term health of its personnel.
EAST MILLINOCKET, Maine — The East Millinocket Fire Department has become the first fire department in Maine to fully outfit its firefighters with PFAS-free turnout gear, using a $90,000 grant to replace protective equipment for all 25 of its members.
Turnout gear has traditionally contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to elevated cancer risk among firefighters through prolonged exposure. The switch to PFAS-free equipment is part of a broader effort within the fire service to reduce firefighters’ long-term chemical exposure.
Department officials said the funding allowed them to replace gear across the entire roster rather than phasing in new equipment over time. The department said the move reflects its commitment to protecting the long-term health of its personnel.