On Wednesday, State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer addressed issues regarding the use of fire suppression foam containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.
Sehlmeyer is part of the Michigan PFAS Action Team. The team is a first of it's kind in the nation, coordinating efforts to protect drinking water from this contaminant.
He said that the action team, MPART, is aware that certain foam used to fight fires has the potential to be the source of PFAS recently discovered in ground water in Michigan.
And, PFAS can get into our water systems when products with PFAS spill onto the ground and get into lakes and rivers that feed our drinking water systems.
“I appreciate the cooperation and important feedback we’ve received from our fire departments as MPART coordinates state services to address this emerging contaminant and protect Michiganders,” said Sehlmeyer. “Education and open lines of communication with the entire fire service community are critical as we provide and continue to develop detailed protocols on the use, training, storage and disposal of any firefighting foam containing PFAS.”
Almost 700 fire service departments have filled out a survey in an effort to I.D. the amount of PFAS foam used and develop solutions across the state to dispose of the toxic foam properly, and of course, prevent further contamination.
Survey results have shown that about 45% of stations currently have "Class B AFFF Foam," which is the foam containing PFAS. This equals about 32,000 gallons used across the state.
Wednesday, guidelines were suggested for the fire departments to follow when using Class B AFFF Foam.
They are:
• Do not train with Class B AFFF Foam; and it should only be used in emergencies involving lifesaving situations.
• If Class B AFFF Foam is used, extra precautions should be taken including using sand to attempt to contain the material, and sandbagging storm drains to prevent runoff.
• Contact the Dept. of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) hotline at 800-292-4706 to report when Class B AFFF was used in an emergency. The PEAS hotline is staffed to take environmental emergency calls 24/7.
“The coordinated efforts of the fire marshal and other MPART agencies have demonstrated to Saginaw area fire service organizations that Michigan is at the forefront in responding to emerging PFAS issues,” said Saginaw Fire Chief Christopher Van Loo. “My fellow chiefs and I appreciate their guidance and continued support as we work to protect residents from this contaminant.”
State Marshal Sehlmeyer is working with the Michigan DEQ and MPART to discover a safer alternative to Class B AFFF Foam, as well as, specific standards for safe storage and disposal.
