The Firefighter’s Guide to PFAS: A Primer on History, Hazards, Trade-Offs, and the Road Ahead
Dr. Bryan Ormond
Friday, June 12, 2026
2:45 PM – 4:15 PM
This comprehensive workshop provides a vital roadmap for understanding the complex shift away from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the fire service. The session begins with an introduction to PFAS chemistry, exploring why these “forever chemicals” were intentionally added to the layers of turnout gear, and then discusses the exposures and health hazards that have prompted current legislative bans and revisions to performance standards.
A significant portion of the workshop will be dedicated to the study of trade-offs inherent in moving to non-PFAS alternatives. Drawing on recent research and ongoing physiological evaluations, the session will highlight critical differences in performance between legacy and new, non-PFAS gear, including the loss of oil/fuel resistance and subsequent flammability risks, durability concerns such as premature aging and micro-cracking, and impacts on physiological heat strain on the fireground. Finally, the workshop provides actionable insights for fire departments, focusing on how to re-evaluate turnout gear expectations, implement training for new materials, and establish monitoring protocols for the next generation of protective equipment.
Bryan Ormond
Bryan Ormond is the Director of the Milliken Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) at NC State University and holds the rank of Associate Professor in the Wilson College of Textiles. His group develops test methods, standards, and protective equipment for first responders and military personnel, with recent work focusing on reducing firefighter exposure to toxic chemicals, developing and evaluating non-PFAS protective gear, and improving respiratory protection for wildland firefighters. Dr. Ormond’s contributions to education and research have garnered recognition by the fire service, academia, and industry by being named a NC State Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor, the recipient for the 2025 Dr. John Granito Award for Excellence in Fire Leadership and Management Research, and the ASTM International Professor of the Year for 2025.
