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The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) says that it is has become the largest department in the U.S. to transition its entire fleet to non-PFAS turnout gear. This major purchase was made in part through a $2.35 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from FEMA and matching funds from the department, amid growing momentum around identifying PFAS alternatives in firefighting gear.
The department worked with textile innovator Milliken & Co. and gear manufacturer Fire-Dex to fulfill the order; the first shipment was delivered this month. The department plans to receive 1,100 sets of non-PFAS turnout gear, one set for every frontline suppression member, by December 31, 2025.
“As the San Francisco Fire Department continues to lead in innovation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the health and safety of our members. Firefighting is inherently dangerous, and our personnel deserve access to the most modern, protective and safest turnout gear available. Transitioning to PFAS-free equipment is a critical step in advancing our mission: safeguarding the public by ensuring our firefighters remain healthy and able to serve at their highest capacity,” said SFFD Fire Chief Dean Crispen.
The transition follows an ordinance passed in May 2024 making San Francisco the first city in the country to ban the use of PFAS chemicals in its firefighters’ turnout gear. With a June 30, 2026 deadline to make the switch, department officials worked to procure and test potential solutions, selecting the final gear ahead of deadline.
The selected gear went through rigorous performance and safety testing, including a 90-day wear trial with 50 firefighters going through live fire training at the San Francisco Division of Training burn rooms. The gear is UL certified and meets the NFPA 1971-2018 and 1971-2025 standards.
While non-fluorinated fabrics have existed for turnout gear outer shells and thermal liners, moisture barrier alternatives remained a key technical challenge. The introduction of Milliken Assure™, the company’s non-PFAS, non-halogenated flame-resistant moisture barrier, in October 2024 made it possible for Fire-Dex to provide SFFD with a solution that met all requirements.
“A non-PFAS moisture barrier was the missing piece for departments wanting to move away from fluorinated chemicals,” said Marcio Manique, SVP and Managing Director of Milliken’s apparel business.
SFFD worked with MES Life Safety to order the garments from Fire-Dex and size each firefighter individually for their new equipment. Milliken and Fire-Dex have maintained a decade of strategic collaboration that delivers fire service innovation and advancement through U.S. research and manufacturing.
San Francisco encompasses 49 square miles and is the fourth largest city in the state of California. The SFFD is the 10th largest fire department in the U.S., serving an estimated 1.5 million people. With 45 stations, firefighters respond to an average of 180,000 annual emergency calls.