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Selectmen approve $9,000 for PFAS‑free turnout gear; town returns to Waterford Honeywell spec
Summary
The board approved a $9,000 transfer to buy protective turnout clothing for new firefighters; the director said Waterford is an early adopter of PFAS‑free gear and is specifying Honeywell/Morning Pride premium equipment across the department.
Selectmen approved a second $9,000 transfer requested by Fire Services to pay for protective clothing for new firefighters and to offset vendor price increases. Director Chris Haley told the board the department has moved to PFAS‑free turnout gear for recent hires and is using a Waterford specification tied to Honeywell/Morning Pride equipment.
"We're an early adopter of PFAS‑free turnout gear," Haley said, noting the department bought the new gear to avoid putting firefighters into equipment that would need replacement before a decade of service. He said the town's specification returns to Honeywell/Morning Pride premium gear and that vendors have been reporting 6–13% quarter‑over‑quarter price increases. The motion passed by voice vote.
Members praised the move as protecting firefighter health and noted the longer service life of the new gear would mitigate long‑term replacement costs.
