Mayor Lurie Announces San Francisco Fire Department Will Become Largest in U.S. to Adopt Safe Firefighting Gear

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) has become the largest department in the United States to transition its entire fleet to non-PFAS turnout gear.  The gear was purchased in part through a $2.35 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from FEMA and matching funds from the city, amid growing effort nationwide to improve health and safety standards for firefighters by providing PFAS alternatives in firefighting gear.  

Earlier this year, Mayor Lurie announced a $500,000 investment within his budget to launch a first-of-its-kind firefighter cancer prevention screening pilot to improve early detection and save lives among San Francisco’s first responders. He has signed legislation to unlock private funding to modernize and revamp the SFFD fleet and support the department’s lifesaving work. The mayor's work to support SFFD, firefighters, and all first responders is contributing to a safer San Francisco—with crime down nearly 30% citywide and down nearly 40% in Union Square and the Financial District.  

“A safe San Francisco depends on the people who stand between danger and our residents. When fire breaks out in our city, our firefighters run toward it. Their equipment should defend them at every step of the way,” said Mayor Lurie. “San Francisco made a commitment to remove that threat. The step we're celebrating today places San Francisco at the forefront of firefighter safety—making us the largest city in the country to go PFAS free. This is a reflection of our belief that the people who protect this city deserve the strongest protection we can provide.” 

“As SFFD 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 Dean Crispen, SFFD Fire Chief. “This distribution represents more than new gear, it reflects a strong, coordinated effort among the Fire Department, our elected leaders, SF Firefighters IAFF Local 798, and the SF Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation. Milliken and Fire-Dex rose to this challenge, demonstrating what is possible when partners are united by a shared purpose.” 

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 have worked efficiently to procure and test potential solutions, selecting the final gear well ahead of the deadline. 

The department worked with textile innovator Milliken & Company and gear manufacturer Fire-Dex, with the first shipment of non-PFAS turnout gear 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.   

“Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, and we know that here in the San Francisco Fire Department we've lost more than 400 first responders to cancer over the past 20 years,” said Sam Gebler, Acting President of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798. “San Francisco's firefighters deserve to be safe on the job, and moving to PFAS-free gear is a critical step toward protecting our health. This transition means our members can focus on doing their jobs and keeping our communities safe, and the men and women of the SFFD are grateful for the city’s work to provide safer gear.” 

“San Francisco is leading the way in stepping up to keep our firefighters safe,” said District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “Our heroic first responders serve our city every day and we must continue to support and protect them as they put themselves in danger to protect San Francisco.” 

“Moving to PFAS-free gear is a significant step towards protecting those who keep us safe,” said District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. 

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.   

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 United States, serving an estimated 1.5 million people. With 45 stations, firefighters respond to an average of 180,000 annual emergency calls.