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Commission asks agencies to report turnout-gear and EB-blanket needs amid PFAS concerns
Summary
County staff asked agencies to notify them by the following Tuesday if they want turnout gear or electric-blanket (EB) purchases; staff said current county specs do not meet a PFAS-free standard and that no vendor currently supplies fully PFAS-free turnout gear.
County staff asked Montgomery County fire and rescue agencies to report equipment needs for an upcoming purchase window, emphasizing concerns about PFAS in some turnout-gear materials and availability of EB blankets.
A county staff member said the county recently ordered new gear for newly hired career staff and will place another large order this summer. He asked agencies to tell Michael (county procurement contact) by “next Tuesday” if they need EB blankets or turnout gear ordered to meet a lower-PFAS or PFAS-free spec, so staff can craft a resolution and appropriate funds through the board.
Staff acknowledged a market limitation: the county spec currently does not meet a PFAS-free standard and, based on research by Tyler and Drew, there is not yet a vendor that provides truly PFAS-free turnout gear. The staff member said some specs reduce PFAS content but a fully PFAS-free certified option was not available at the time of the meeting.
Commissioners also mentioned lightweight gear for extrication and vehicle-rescue tasks. Staff said agencies should ask for any specialized gear so the county can evaluate cost and appropriations; staff emphasized that the county will consider requests and attempt to consolidate purchases to find efficiencies.
No formal spending decision was made at the meeting; staff asked agencies to identify needs promptly so the county can include any appropriation request on an upcoming board agenda.
