The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) has become the largest department in the USA to transition its entire frontline workforce to non-PFAS turnout gear. 

The gear was purchased in part through a $2.35 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and matching funds from the department, amid growing momentum around identifying PFAS alternatives in firefighting gear.

The department worked with Milliken and gear manufacturer Fire-Dex to fulfil the order and the first shipment was delivered in November. The department plans to receive 1,100 sets of non-PFAS turnout gear – one set for every frontline suppression member – by the end of this month.

“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,” said SFFD Fire Chief Dean Crispen. “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 of safeguarding the public by ensuring our firefighters remain healthy and able to serve at their highest capacity.”

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

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.

While non-fluorinated fabrics have existed for turnout gear outer shells and thermal liners, moisture barrier alternatives remained a key technical challenge. The introduction of  Milliken Assure – North America’s first non-PFAS, non-halogenated flame-resistant moisture barrier – made it possible for Fire-Dex to provide SFFD with a solution that met all requirements.

“A non-PFAS moisture barrier was the missing piece for departments wanting to move away from fluorinated chemicals,” said Marcio Manique, SVP and managing director of Milliken’s apparel business. “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.”

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