Did Your Municipality Purchase Firefighter Turnout Gear Containing PFAS?
Cities, counties, townships, fire districts, and other public entities nationwide may have claims seeking reimbursement for the cost of replacing affected turnout gear.
Request a Municipal Case ReviewAttorney Advertising. Erik H. Langeland, Langeland Law, New York, New York, and Jon A. Tostrud, Tostrud Law Group, P.C., Los Angeles, California. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why turnout gear purchases are being reviewed
Firefighter turnout gear has historically incorporated PFAS-containing materials in its outer shells, moisture barriers, thermal liners, and other components.
A federal lawsuit alleges that manufacturers and suppliers sold this gear to fire departments and public entities without adequately disclosing the alleged risks. The lawsuit seeks monetary relief connected to the purchase and replacement of affected gear.
A municipality does not need to have already replaced its gear to request a review.
The allegations described here are allegations only. They have not been proven, and no court has decided them. There is no guarantee of recovery; eligibility depends on the circumstances of the entity’s purchases.
What may be covered
- Turnout coats and pants
- Hoods
- Helmets
- Gloves
- Boots
- Related structural-firefighting gear
Brands and components identified in the litigation include products associated with 3M, DuPont, Fire-Dex, Globe/MSA, Gore, Innotex, Lion, Morning Pride/Honeywell.
An entity does not need to know which components in its gear contained PFAS, or which supplier sold them, to request a review.
Replacing affected gear does not mean abandoning firefighter-protection standards
New turnout-gear configurations and components are now marketed as being made without intentionally added PFAS while meeting applicable NFPA performance requirements. Departments can evaluate replacement options based on certified thermal protection, moisture resistance, durability, mobility, and other operational needs.
The potential legal claim concerns who should bear the replacement cost — not whether firefighters should accept reduced protection.
Request a municipal case review
For officials of cities, counties, townships, fire districts, and other public entities that purchased firefighter turnout gear.
Request a Municipal Case Review