The firefighters’ union moved to dismiss with prejudice its PFAS-related lawsuit over NFPA’s firefighter gear standard

WASHINGTON — The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has asked the Boston Superior Court to dismiss, with prejudice, all remaining claims against the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) from its March 2023 lawsuit concerning standards for firefighter protective gear.

“As NFPA stated from the very beginning, the IAFF’s legal strategy was misguided and not supported by the facts. A portion of the lawsuit was dismissed in March 2024, and it was clear from the discovery process that remaining claims had no basis,” The NFPA said in a statement attributed to NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. “We are pleased that they have asked the court to dismiss all claims.”

| RESOURCE: NFPA 1850 standard explained: Firefighter PPE & SCBA updates (infographic)

The IAFF sued the NFPA in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, arguing NFPA’s gear standard effectively requires PFAS and seeking to eliminate the cancer-linked chemicals from firefighter gear. Occupational cancer is the leading cause of firefighter deaths; nearly 75% of those honored at the 2022 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died from it.

The NFPA stated the request to dismiss the lawsuit underscores its consensus process as the right, transparent and inclusive venue for standards work.

According to the organization, technical committees rigorously review every recommendation — including those related to the latest firefighter gear standard — through a fully public process that lists member names and affiliations, records votes and documents all actions. No more than one-third of any committee may come from the same interest category.

The NFPA described the IAFF as a valued participant in its code development process and said it remains focused on a shared goal of creating evidence-based standards that protect firefighter health and safety.

The organization also said it recognizes the serious cancer risks firefighters face and continues to educate the fire service, support research through the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation and advocate for federal policies to address the public health issue.

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