Santa Monica Council votes to initiate litigation over PFAS in firefighter turnout gear

The Santa Monica City Council at its March meeting directed city staff to initiate litigation seeking recovery of damages related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighter turnout gear the department acquired. City attorney staffreported the direction passed by a 7-2-0 vote after closed session.

The council's action, announced upon the meeting's return from closed session, means the city will commence a formal legal process to pursue damages; the city attorney said the action's particulars will be disclosed to the public upon inquiry consistent with the government code section referenced during the meeting ("government code section 5 4 9 5 7.112" as stated in the record).

The motion to initiate litigation was taken in closed session; no additional details about defendants, claims, or monetary relief were disclosed at the open meeting. The report noted the litigation relates specifically to PFAS in turnout gear acquired by the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Council members did not elaborate on the anticipated legal theory or timeline during the open session. The council's vote count was read when the city attorney's representative summarized the closed-session direction; the clerk confirmed the vote tally provided during the report.

Next steps include formal filing (if counsel proceeds), and public disclosure of the action's particulars consistent with the cited government code when permitted. The council did not set a public timeline for filing nor identify outside counsel in the open record.

The meeting adjourned after the summary of closed-session actions.