FASNY (2025)

In response to growing health concerns regarding the pervasive use of PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances) in a dizzying array of products, our firm helped our longstanding client FASNY successfully reduce firefighters’ exposure to hazardous chemicals through enactment of a ban on these substances in turnout gear.

 This effort further positioned our client as a statewide leader in firefighter health and safety—and ultimately contributed to significant momentum and ultimately a policy change that benefits fire service members across state – not just the volunteers whom we represent, but also paid firefighters as well.

 For decades, PFAS chemicals have been standard in firefighter turnout gear due to their durability and water/oil resistance. However, mounting scientific evidence has shown that even low levels of PFAS exposure are linked to serious health risks—including breast, kidney, and testicular cancer. After the most recent study was conducted in Fall of 2023, the Association decided to sound the alarm, building upon decades of action to address disproportionately high cancer rates in the fire service.

 Despite the urgency to address, efforts to ban PFAS-laden gear faced technical, political, and institutional hurdles. Only one other state had taken action on this, and the issue required not only scientific clarity but also legislative focus, stakeholder consensus, and regulatory alignment with national safety standards.

 ASA identified the momentum in Massachusetts and the most recent study from the National Fire Protection Association for our client in the Fall of 2024. Our team then worked with FASNY to navigate the issue through their internal consensus building process, enlisted their brothers in the paid fire service (NYS-PFFA) in the effort, and worked with their established allies in the environmental advocacy space, most notably the National Resources Defense Council. Once the front was united, we elevated the issue with the Executive Chamber’s Environmental policy experts.

 Just a few months later, the Governor included the measure in her State of the State address and Executive Budget proposal, showing incredibly timely responsiveness to the needs of her constituents. ASA then worked through the budget process to increase awareness among state lawmakers through briefings, legislative meetings and amplifying firefighter voices. Both houses accepted the Governor’s budget proposal into their one house budgets. In all, our firm helped our client leverage cutting edge research and budding momentum to advance this health and safety measure and ultimately get it signed into law in the final budget in May of 2025.

 Our team helped position the Association as a public safety leader, emphasizing that protecting firefighters from known toxic hazards should be a non-partisan, non-negotiable priority. This ban will begin to take effect in 2028, positioning New York on the front lines in pushing national suppliers to accelerate the shift toward PFAS-free protective equipment. Most importantly, our work helped protect the long-term health of those who risk their lives for their communities by ensuring the gear meant to protect them doesn’t end up harming them. Volunteer firefighters know their job comes with risks, but exposure to unnecessary toxic chemicals shouldn’t be one of them. By working proactively, collaboratively, and strategically, we helped our client lead on an issue that will save lives - both now and for generations of firefighters to come.