The Gear That’s Killing Us: Why 2026 is the Year We Go PFAS-Free

The Uniform We Trusted

For decades, we didn't ask many questions about our turnout gear. As long as it kept the heat out and the water off, it was doing its job. But in 2026, we can no longer ignore the hidden cost. The "forever chemicals" (PFAS) that gave our gear its liquid-repellent magic are now confirmed to be a primary source of toxins in our blood.

Executive Summary 

As of January 1, 2026, the American fire service has officially entered a new digital age. The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) has now replaced the 50-year-old NFIRS as the sole federal standard for incident data collection in the United States.

The Point of No Return