Kildee Highlights $95 Million for PFAS-Free Firefighting Equipment at Congressional Hearing

WASHINGTON-Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, today highlighted $95 million in new federal funds to help fire departments in Michigan and across the country replace firefighting foam and gear that contains toxic per- and polyfluorinated (PFAS) chemicals. Congressman Kildee spoke about this funding, which he recently secured, during a PFAS hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives today.

"To protect our communities and firefighters from PFAS, I helped pass legislation that would require both military and civilian airports to use one of over 100 PFAS-free alternatives to firefighting foam that contains PFAS. To help with that transition, I was proud to secure $95 million in the Build Back Better Act to replace firefighting foam and gear containing PFAS," said Congressman Kildee. His full remarks are available here.

Exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals has been linked to cancer as well as thyroid, kidney, liver, heart and reproductive problems. Firefighters are primarily exposed to these "forever chemicals" through firefighting foam and gear made with PFAS chemicals. Fortunately, PFAS-free firefighting foam alternatives are effective and readily available, and federal funding will assist local fire departments in replacing and properly disposing of this harmful foam.

"Congressman Kildee's leadership was critical in securing funding in the Build Back Better bill to help local fire departments purchase firefighting foam and gear made without PFAS chemicals," said Tony Spaniola of Need Our Water (NOW) in Oscoda, Michigan. "This is an important step in our continuing fight to protect our families and first responders from harmful PFAS exposures."

"Firefighters and emergency medical responders are routinely exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals which have been linked to serious health problems including cancer, the leading cause of death among our members today. Deploying safe alternative firefighting foams and PFAS-free turnout gear is a critical step forward in safeguarding firefighters and the public from these 'forever chemicals,'" said Edward A. Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. "I am grateful to Representatives Dan Kildee and Jim McGovern for their leadership in helping fund the purchase and deployment of safe alternative PFAS-free foams and turnout gear."

"Firefighters are disproportionately exposed to the toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS," said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group. "EWG applauds Reps. Kildee and McGovern for making investments in PFAS-free gear and firefighting foam a priority for budget reconciliation. Firefighters take enormous risks to keep us safe. We should do everything we can to keep them safe from toxic chemicals."

"This funding will go a long way towards helping departments remove and replace foam and turn out gear with PFAS in them," said Michael Sarnowski, President of Bangor Township Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1682. "Thank you for supporting this funding to help departments like ours get the materials we need to not only do the job we love but also do it safely-without having to worry about long term health issues from the items meant to keep us safe."

"In the fire service, we work together as a team, which is commonly known as having each other's backs," said Captain Aileen Pettinger, Saginaw Fire Department. "We are grateful that Congressman Kildee always has our backs in Washington, D.C., in this case by attaining funds for PFAS-free turnout gear and foam so we can continue to protect the public without further PFAS exposure."

In November, Congressman Kildee sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urging the agency to ensure airports are able to use PFAS-free firefighting foam. In July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Dan Kildee's PFAS Action Act, comprehensive legislation to protect Americans from PFAS chemicals. Congressman Kildee has worked with Republicans and Democrats at all levels of government to address PFAS contamination. Kildee has previously introduced legislation to speed up set a national drinking water standard for PFAS, clean-up efforts, and detect PFAS contamination at other sites across the country.

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