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Fire department flags PFAS-driven gear costs, aging rigs and higher maintenance in budget hearing
Summary
Fire officials told council a national shift away from PFAS (forever chemicals) raised turnout-gear costs and shortened service life, contributing to a large clothing/uniform increase; fleet repairs are up as many rigs exceed recommended lifespans, and generator and radio upgrades are budgeted.
Fire department leaders told the council that several line items in the proposed budget rose because of changes in gear specifications and an aging apparatus fleet.
Officials said a federal or industry ban on PFAS chemicals in turnout gear — described in the hearing as ‘forever chemicals’ linked to firefighter health risks — has increased the price of compliant gear and reduced expected service life from roughly 10 years to 5–7 years. To mitigate immediate cost spikes, the department said it negotiated pre-compliance prices to acquire about 330 sets at earlier rates; absent that…
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