118 HR 4769 IH: Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2023-07-20
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I
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4769
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 20, 2023
Mrs. Dingell (for herself, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Kean of New Jersey, Ms. Titus, Mr. D'Esposito, Mr. Ivey, and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To drive innovation in developing next-generation protection for firefighters by accelerating the development of PFAS-free turnout gear, and for other purposes.
1.

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act” or the “PFAS Alternatives Act”.
2.

Expanding the availability of next-generation turnout gear
(a)

Definitions
In this section:
(1)

Administrator
The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(2)

Eligible entity
The term “eligible entity” means a nonprofit organization, institution of higher education, national fire service organization, or national fire safety organization, as determined by the Administrator, with experience in not fewer than three of the following:
(A)
Conducting research on issues related to cancer among firefighters.
(B)
Educating firefighters and other users of turnout gear on proper use, cleaning, and decontamination of turnout gear.
(C)
Educating firefighters on matters related to physical health, safety, and wellness.
(D)
Experience collaborating with other national nonprofit organizations to support research on firefighter safety and health.
(E)
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with researchers on matters related to firefighter health and safety.
(F)
Representing membership comprised of structural, wildfire, and aircraft firefighters and supervisors.
(3)

Moisture barrier materials
The term “moisture barrier material” means the component of turnout gear that principally prevents the transfer of hazardous liquids, including hot liquids, fireground chemicals, and infectious fluids, and contributes to the overall thermal insulation of the firefighter without imposing undue burdens or otherwise compromising the performance of turnout gear.
(4)

PFAS
The term “PFAS” means per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
(5)

Turnout gear
The term “turnout gear” means protective clothing worn as a main source of protection for firefighters and emergency medical services personnel during firefighting and post-fire operations to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious injuries and illnesses that may result from contact with thermal, physical, chemical, biological, or other workplace hazards. Turnout gear—
(A)
includes protective clothing designed to protect firefighters performing structural firefighting, proximity firefighting, wildland firefighting, and urban interface firefighting; and
(B)
may also include other personal protective equipment referred to in section 33(c)(3)(I)(i) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229(c)(3)(I)(i)).
(b)

Research programs
(1)

In general
Subject to the availability of appropriations, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall establish a program to award grants to eligible entities to support research, development, and testing of next-generation turnout gear and associated materials.
(2)

Requirements
(A)

PFAS-free components
Grants awarded under this subsection shall support the research, development, and testing of materials to design and produce PFAS-free turnout gear.
(B)

Partnership
The Administrator shall require that applications for grants under this subsection include a description of how the eligible entity will partner with organizations in, and relevant to, the firefighting industry, including organizations that directly represent members who serve in nonmanagerial firefighting roles, and how such partnership will help move the results of research, development, and testing described in subparagraph (A) into practice, including guidance and training for first responders and others who regularly use turnout gear.
(3)

Considerations
In making awards under this subsection, the Administrator may consider the extent to which the activities proposed support the research, development, and testing described in subparagraph (A) that is likely to reduce the inherent dangers firefighters face, including innovations that provide the following:
(A)
Enhanced protection against primary and secondary exposure to particulates and byproducts of combustion.
(B)
Reduced maintenance that includes contamination resistance and greater ease of cleaning or visible warning indicators to alert firefighters to hazardous exposures or the need for decontamination.
(C)
Consideration of body composition in development of prototypes and other products.
(4)

Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through fiscal year 2028 to carry out this subsection.
(c)

Training programs
(1)

In general
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities, as determined by the Administrator, to develop and disseminate guidance and training for firefighters and other first responders on best practices for reducing potentially harmful exposures by properly wearing, decontaminating, and caring for turnout gear developed in accordance with section (b).
(2)

Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through fiscal year 2028 to carry out this subsection.
(d)

Report
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing the progress made in achieving the goals of subsections (b) and (c).