New federal bill promises safer gear for Montana firefighters

Montana’s firefighters face some of the most demanding and unpredictable challenges in public safety.

Yet while all the physical dangers of this profession have been acknowledged, a less visible danger has gone unnoticed. Unknown to many, the turnout gear which they depend on for protection against intense fires contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), synthetic chemicals prized for their tenacity but now linked to cancer and other severe conditions.

This long-standing reliance on toxic equipment has created an unacceptable risk that is further exacerbated by limited awareness as well as insufficient funding and lack of safer alternatives on the market.

The PFAS Alternatives Act—introduced in 2023 and still pending in Congress—presents a practical solution to this issue. By promoting the development of PFAS-free turnout gear, the bill would provide fire departments in Montana and nationwide with an opportunity to protect first responders without jeopardizing performance.

The Unseen PFAS Burden of the Fire Service in Montana PFAS—artificial chemicals first discovered in the 1940s—have been incorporated into firefighting equipment for decades because of their resistance to heat, water and oil. These characteristics made them seem essential for protective clothing designed to withstand extreme temperatures and hazardous conditions. Yet what was once considered necessary has proven to carry serious health consequences.

Unlike other chemicals, PFAS do not break down in the environment or the human body, which means they can persist indefinitely. Worse, they can accumulate in the bloodstream, causing a multitude of health issues, including cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease and immune system dysfunction. 

Responding to these risks, the country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a strict health advisory to post a precaution that no level of PFAS exposure is safe and that even trace amounts may result in significant harm over time. 

For the 284 fire departments in Montana whose personnel regularly wear contaminated gear during every shift, this warning underscores a sobering reality: the very equipment meant to protect them may be contributing long-term and irreversible health damage. A recent study has confirmed that PFAS are embedded in all three layers of turnout gear, including the outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal lining. 

As the materials wear down through repeated use, toxic chemicals are also released, allowing them to be easily absorbed through the skin, breathed in, or ingested through hand-to-mouth contact. Because of this constant exposure, firefighters remain among the occupational groups with elevated levels of PFAS in their blood samples.

Shifting Toward Safer Alternatives

Despite growing national concern over PFAS exposure, Montana has yet to enact regulations restricting the use of these chemicals in turnout gear. This policy gap leaves many fire departments in the state—especially those in rural and volunteer communities—without guidance or support, which forces them to continue relying on outdated gear that may compromise their long-term health. 

The urgency of the crisis is also reflected in ongoing litigation. As of June 2025, the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) multidistrict litigation has grown to 11,096 active cases after 705 new lawsuits were filed in the past month. 

Although these legal efforts aim to hold chemical manufacturers accountable, they do little to address the immediate need for safer equipment on the ground. The PFAS Alternatives Act offers a necessary path forward. 

First introduced in Congress in 2023 and reintroduced this year, the bill seeks to allocate $25 million yearly from fiscal years 2024 to 2028 to fund the development and testing of PFAS-free turnout gear to guarantee that new materials meet the rigorous demands of the fire service without introducing new hazards. 

It also designates $2 million each year to support educational programs that would help fire departments understand safer alternatives and reduce exposure risks in the meantime.

For the fire service in Montana and nationwide, this legislation provides a practical solution to an ongoing health crisis. Federal investment in safe and modern equipment would make sure that firefighters are no longer forced to choose between duty and personal safety. 

Adopting and advancing the PFAS Alternatives Act would demonstrate a national commitment to protecting those who put their lives on the line for the welfare of their communities.

Author Jonathan Sharp serves as the CFO at the Environmental Litigation Group P.C., a Birmingham, Alabama-based law firm dedicated to assisting victims of the PFAS crisis and other environmental toxic exposures.