Monday, March 24, 2025

Wilmington Fire Department switching to PFAS-free gear

WFD is switching to gear made with a fluorine-free moisture barrier to help with water- and heat-resistance while on duty. (Courtesy City of Wilmington)

WILMINGTON — Some of the city’s fire teams are now working from gear that forego being created with PFAS to remain water- and heat-resistant

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ALSO: Local firefighters speak against becoming ‘human guinea pigs’ due to PFAS exposure

Wilmington Fire Department is implementing fluorine-free moisture barrier turnout gear, offering the same level of protection as those created by PFAS. The transition is for gear that goes to the current recruit class; however, it will eventually replace all firefighter gear. 

“By transitioning to fluorine-free materials, the department is prioritizing the long-term health of its firefighters and reducing their exposure to toxic substances,” the city wrote in a statement Monday. “This commitment not only enhances the safety and well-being of our firefighters, but also sets a positive example for other departments looking to adopt safer practices.”


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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