Quincy firefighters were all smiles Tuesday as they showed off their new turnout gear, free of cancer-causing chemicals.

"PFAS is called a forever chemical because it doesn't degrade. So if it gets into your system, it stays, and it starts doing all sorts of damage that causes health risks, including many types of cancer," Quincy Fire Chief Gary Smyth said at a press conference.

When the department discovered their old gear was made with the chemical-laden material, they put plans to replace it on the front burner.

President of Quincy Local 792 Tom Bowes said: "Probably takes about eight hours to wash and dry a set of gear, so they can grab their second set of gear, and they're right back on the truck and right back out the door."

Bowes said the city has taken legal action against the previous manufacturer.

"I'd like to see not only recoup the money for the gear, but some testing. They've exposed us for seven years to chemicals that we were told weren't in the gear."

For Smyth, the cancer exposure hits close to home as his brother, a firefighter in another department, died recently.

"In honor of them, as well as all of our members, and to all firefighters who've been diagnosed with cancer. This is for them."