Heinrich, Fischer, Welch, Curtis Introduce Legislation to Protect Firefighters from Harmful Chemicals

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and John Curtis (R-Idaho) introduced the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art (PFAS) Alternatives Act of 2026, legislation to support the development of next-generation, PFAS-free protective gear to better protect firefighters from the dangers of their work.

Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens when they respond to virtually every type of fire or incident. This includes PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, which can be found in firefighters' turnout gear, firefighting foams, and in the smoke and air firefighters breathe. Exposure to PFAS is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, kidney disease, reduced immune function, and reproductive challenges.

Tragically, cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Because of their occupational exposure to carcinogens, including PFAS chemicals and other toxins in their own protective gear, firefighters are nearly 10% more likely to develop cancer and almost 15% more likely to die from cancer than the general population. And despite advances in research and materials science, there is no protective gear currently available to firefighters that is proven to be completely hazard-free.

The PFAS Alternatives Act helps address this by creating a new grant program dedicated to the research, development, and testing of turnout gear that maintains effectiveness while improving firefighter safety.

"Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and too many suffer or lose their lives from cancers caused by toxic exposures on the job - including from harmful PFAS chemicals in their protective gear. Our firefighters shouldn't have to worry that the gear designed to protect them is putting their health at risk," said Heinrich. "That's why I'm leading legislation to invest in next-generation PFAS-free firefighting gear. Because we need to do more to protect the people who protect all of us."

"Our firefighters put everything on the line to keep us safe, and it's our job to make sure they are taken care of," said Fischer. "This bill gives us the resources for producing next-generation protective gear, free of PFAS chemicals, to protect the health and safety of firefighters in Nebraska and across the nation."

"From Vermont to Idaho and everywhere in between, firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Their line of work is already hazardous enough without having to deal with toxic chemical exposure from the very gear meant to protect them," said Welch. "I'm proud to work across the aisle on this legislation to support investments into developing new, PFAS-free turnout gear that protects firefighters across the country."

"Utah's firefighters shouldn't have to worry that the gear designed to keep them safe could expose them to harmful chemicals," said Curtis. "This bipartisan legislation invests in the research needed to improve turnout gear, helping ensure firefighters have the proper protective equipment they deserve."

Specifically, the PFAS Alternatives Act will:

• Establish a grant program within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to fund the research, development, and testing of next-generation, toxin-free turnout gear;

• Ensure that such research is done by, and in collaboration with, firefighters and entities that understand the unique demands that firefighters face;

• Authorize up to $25 million in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) through FY31 for that research, development, and testing; and

• Authorize an additional $2 million for FY28-FY32 for the development and dissemination of best practices and trainings to ensure that firefighters are equipped with the knowledge to ensure that the next-generation turnout gear is as effective as possible at reducing their risk of potentially harmful exposures.

The PFAS Alternatives Act is led by Heinrich, Fischer, Welch, and Curtis. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Companion legislation in the House is led by U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.).

The PFAS Alternatives Act is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

"The science is clear. Toxic PFAS chemicals are contributing to alarming rates of cancer in the fire service, and we must do everything we can to reduce fire fighters' exposure to these carcinogens - including in the gear we wear that is supposed to keep us safe. The PFAS Alternatives Act will accelerate the development of next-generation, toxin-free gear, and make sure fire fighters - not corporate interests - are at the center of research into the products we rely on for our safety. The 366,000 members of the IAFF are proud to support this bipartisan legislation, and we thank Sens. Curtis, Welch, Fischer, and Heinrich for their leadership on this critical issue," said Edward Kelly, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters.

"On behalf of New Mexico's professional firefighters, I want to thank US Senator from our home state, Martin Heinrich for sponsoring the PFAS Alternatives Act and for his continued commitment to firefighter health and safety. Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve protective equipment that does not expose them to harmful chemicals in the process. This legislation represents an important investment in the research and development of next-generation PFAS-free turnout gear, helping ensure that firefighters can do their jobs safely while reducing long-term occupational health risks. We look forward to working with Senator Heinrich and our partners to advance innovative solutions that protect those who protect others," said Miguel Tittman, President, New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association.

A one-page summary of the bill is here.

The full text of the bill is here.

Last September, Heinrich, Fischer, and Welch cosponsored the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, bipartisan legislation that will expand health care coverage and benefits for first responders who become permanently disabled from service-related cancers and the families of those who pass away from these cancers.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet