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Today at our Affiliate Leadership Training Summit, I announced that the IAFF has retained three nationally recognized law firms to change regulatory standards, demand PFAS-free gear, and be available to be retained by members and families seeking compensation for PFAS-related illness.
PFAS “forever chemicals” are in our protective gear and have been linked to cancer, the leading cause of fire fighter death. The toxic nature of PFAS puts our members at unnecessary risk, yet PFAS-free alternatives are not currently on the market. With today’s announcement, we now have three firms to join the immediate fight to keep our IAFF brothers and sisters safe.
The chosen firms are Motley Rice LLC; Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC; and Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. Collectively, they have decades of experience representing fire fighters and other hardworking individuals. The IAFF Executive Board selected these firms following a thorough vetting process based on their commitment to fire fighters and their families, available resources, and ability to handle litigation at this level.
They will help us:
- Change the regulatory standards and systems that have enabled toxins in fire fighter protective turnout gear
- Demand that all turnout gear be replaced with PFAS-free alternatives
- Be available to be retained by members and their families to seek compensation for PFAS-related injuries
The independent firms – collectively known as PFAS Law Firms – have established a website, PFASLawFirms.com, for members seeking information on the effort.
We need to combat what is killing us. These firms have long fought for hardworking families who have been taken advantage of, including recovering billions of dollars for injured clients.
This is the challenge of our generation – and I refuse to let it become a challenge for our children and their children. The IAFF will do whatever is necessary to remove PFAS from our gear, and protect the health of our members and the well-being of our families.
Be You. Be Strong. Be Fire Fighters.
Edward A. Kelly
IAFF General President
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