San Francisco Fire Department adopts non-PFAS turnout gear across fleet
Iain Hoey
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San Francisco completes fleetwide non-PFAS gear transition with Fire-Dex
The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) has become the largest fire department in the United States to transition its entire fleet to non-PFAS turnout gear, according to Fire-Dex.
Fire-Dex said the department is scheduled to receive 1,100 sets of non-PFAS turnout gear by Wednesday 31 December 2025, providing one set for every frontline suppression member.
Fire-Dex said the first shipment was delivered in December 2025.
Fire-Dex said the purchase was funded in part through a $2.35 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and matching funds from the department.
Dean Crispen, Fire Chief at the San Francisco Fire Department, said: “As the San Francisco Fire Department 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,
“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.
“This collaboration is what the residents and visitors of San Francisco expect and deserve.
“A protected workforce is the foundation of a protected community.
“By investing in the well-being of our firefighters, we strengthen the health, resilience, and safety of San Francisco as a whole.”
non-PFAS rollout follows city ordinance
Fire-Dex said the transition follows an ordinance passed in May 2024 that made San Francisco the first city in the country to ban the use of PFAS chemicals in firefighters’ turnout gear.
Fire-Dex said the ordinance set a deadline of Monday 30 June 2026 for the department to complete the switch.
Fire-Dex said department officials moved to procure and test potential options and selected the final gear ahead of that deadline.
Fire-Dex said San Francisco covers 49 square miles and is the fourth largest city in California.
Fire-Dex said the San Francisco Fire Department is the 10th largest fire department in the United States and serves an estimated 1.5 million people.
Fire-Dex said the department operates 45 stations and responds to an average of 180,000 annual emergency calls.
Testing, UL certification and NFPA standards
Fire-Dex said the selected gear went through performance and safety testing, including a 90-day wear trial with 50 firefighters.
Fire-Dex said the trial included live fire training at the San Francisco Division of Training burn rooms.
Fire-Dex said the turnout gear is UL certified.
Fire-Dex said it meets the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971-2018 and 1971-2025 standards.
Fire-Dex said non-fluorinated fabrics have existed for turnout gear outer shells and thermal liners, while moisture barrier alternatives remained a technical challenge.
Moisture barrier and supply chain partners
Fire-Dex said Milliken & Company introduced Milliken Assure in October 2024 as a non-PFAS, non-halogenated flame-resistant moisture barrier.
Fire-Dex said this enabled Fire-Dex to provide a solution that met the department’s requirements.
Marcio Manique, SVP and Managing Director of Milliken’s apparel business, said: “A non-PFAS moisture barrier was the missing piece for departments wanting to move away from fluorinated chemicals.
“With Assure, we refused to trade one hazard for another.
“It meets the strictest performance standards without adding weight or compromising breathability – giving firefighters exactly what they asked for.”
Fire-Dex said the San Francisco Fire Department worked with MES Life Safety to order the garments from Fire-Dex and to size each firefighter individually.
Jeff Koledo, Vice President of Sales at Fire-Dex, stated: “Fire-Dex is honored to supply the San Francisco Fire Department with AeroFlex turnout gear featuring a non-fluorinated moisture barrier,
“We’re grateful to work alongside Milliken and MES in delivering this solution.
“Our goal has always been to provide fire departments across the country with options that meet their needs – and ultimately ensure they have the essential protection required to keep their communities safe.”
What this means for PPE procurement
The San Francisco Fire Department’s timeline sets out how quickly a large urban department can complete a non-PFAS turnout gear changeover when a city ordinance includes a fixed compliance date.
The sourcing approach described by Fire-Dex links grant funding, matching departmental funds and a structured sizing programme delivered through a distributor.
The testing details, including a 90-day wear trial during live fire training, provide a reference point for training officers and equipment specifiers considering how to validate new PPE before full rollout.
The UL certification and NFPA 1971-2018 and 1971-2025 compliance claims provide a standards-based checklist for procurement teams comparing options.
The moisture barrier requirement, described as a key technical constraint, frames why some departments may focus evaluation on barrier performance, weight and breathability alongside shell and liner fabrics.