Days Numbered for PFAS-Laden Turnout Gear Worn by Quincy, MA, Firefighters
Quincy firefighters' days of wearing PFAS-laden turnout gear are numbered.
Many were among the standing room only crowd that erupted in cheers and applause when city officials voted unanimously to spend $2.6 million to replace the existing gear that contains carcinogens.
"We have firefighters on the job who are very sick right now, suffering from cancer. They're active members, they're young. I have a brother on the Braintree Fire Department who was diagnosed with glioblastoma," Quincy Fire Chief Gary Smyth told WBZ.
Over the next few days, the 271 firefighters will continue to be fitted for their new gear that should arrive within two months.
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Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.