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Contact Information:

Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ)

Matthew Caliente, President

mcaliente@newjerseyfirefighers.org

Release Date:
January 20, 2026

‍‍‍FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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PFANJ CONTINUES LEGISLATIVE STREAK, SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATES FOR PFAS-FREE GEAR FOR STATE’S FIRST RESPONDERS
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TRENTON, NJ – January 20, 2026 – In a historic second win for first responder safety this month, the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) have been informed that Governor Phil Murphy has signed a package of bills (A5195/A5223/S3946) into law mandating the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals", from firefighting turnout gear and requires manufacturers to provide written notice of their presence in the interim. This signing marks the PFANJ’s second major legislative triumph in less than seven days, following the January 14th enactment of the First Responders PTSD Protection Act. Together, these laws represent a comprehensive "one-two punch" against the two greatest threats to today’s firefighters: occupational cancer and mental health.|
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“The PFANJ has proven itself a legislative powerhouse in Trenton, securing two significant wins in a single week because we prioritize the health and safety of our brothers and sisters,” said Matthew Caliente, PFANJ President. “We refuse to let our members be poisoned by the very gear meant to protect them. We didn't just ask for this change; we fought for it, we demanded it, and we won. By signing this bill, Governor Murphy is ensuring that the 'protectors' are finally being protected from the silent killers in their own equipment."
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Advocacy by our New England brothers and sisters led the PFANJ to work hand-in-hand with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and General President Edward Kelly to lobby for PFAS protections both on Capitol Hill and in our State House.
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“Fire fighters shouldn’t have to risk cancer to stay safe on the job. New Jersey is putting fire fighters first by removing carcinogenic PFAS from our protective gear and demanding accountability from manufacturers. This legislation helps keep fire fighters healthy and ready to serve our communities - and we thank Gov. Murphy for signing it into law, “ explained IAFF General President Kelly.
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The origins of PFAS legislation trace back to the relentless advocacy of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut (UPFFA) and Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM). Their work was strengthened by the research of Diane Cotter, the wife of retired Worcester, MA firefighter Paul Cotter. After Paul’s career-ending cancer diagnosis, Diane’s independent research and collaboration with scientists at the University of Notre Dame revealed that the moisture barriers in turnout gear were laden with carcinogenic PFAS.
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“I want to congratulate President Matt Caliente and the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey on the successful passage of this critical legislation banning PFAS in firefighter turnout gear,” announced UFFA President Pete Brown. “New Jersey’s leadership, joining Connecticut and other Northeast states, demonstrates a proactive commitment to protecting firefighter health and addressing the unacceptable cancer risks our members face every day. This is exactly the kind of common-sense action our firefighters deserve.”
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Key Provisions of the Legislation:

• Notice Requirements: Beginning one year from today, any manufacturer selling firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) containing PFAS must provide written notice to the purchaser disclosing the presence of these chemicals.
• Prohibition of Sale: Two years after the effective date, the law prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any firefighting PPE containing "intentionally added" PFAS within the State of New Jersey.
• Enforcement: Violations will be considered an unlawful practice under the State’s Consumer Fraud Act, carrying significant monetary penalties to ensure compliance.
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“I commend the PFANJ for its relentless work to protect the health of the state’s fire fighters. New Jersey continues to lead the way, and we’re grateful to Gov. Murphy and lawmakers in Trenton who made this legislation a reality,” echoed James Slevin, IAFF 1st District Vice President. “Our most frequent exposure to carcinogens comes from our protective gear, the very equipment meant to keep us safe. Removing toxic PFAS from fire fighter gear is an important step in combating job-related cancer in the fire service.”
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Occupational cancer is the leading killer of today’s firefighters, accounting for many of the most recent names added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial. While the PFANJ’s landmark 2024 Firefighter Cancer Screening bill has already saved lives through early detection and treatment, this new legislation shifts the battlefront to prevention. By eliminating PFAS 'forever chemicals' from turnout gear, we are no longer just identifying the illness, we are stopping it where it starts. New Jersey now joins the vanguard of states, inspired by the pioneering efforts in Connecticut and Massachusetts, to demand a toxin-free future for those on the frontlines.
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"This is a victory for the entire fire service, it started with two IAFF state associations, but it really hit home for our members because of the relentless voice of the Cotter Family who refused to take 'no' for an answer," continued President Caliente. "We are proud to build on that legacy here in New Jersey, working alongside our brothers and sisters in the UPFFA and PFFM to ensure that the standards used to manufacture our gear are based on science and safety, not corporate profits."
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The PFANJ expresses its gratitude to Governor Phil Murphy for signing this legislation and other PFANJ-led legislation into law during his tenure as governor. The PFANJ would also like to thank Senate President Scutari, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald, and the bill’s primary sponsors: Senator Greenstein, Assemblyman Miller, Assemblyman Schaer, Assemblywoman Peterpaul, and Assemblyman Calabrese, for their work to eradicate these “forever chemicals” from our protective equipment.
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‍The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), was established and chartered as a State Association by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on October 29, 1929. It is a member of the AFL-CIO. The PFANJ represents nearly 3,500 Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Dispatchers, Fire Inspectors, Instructors, and HazMat Technicians though its over 60 locals. This includes over 3,000 of New Jersey’s approximately 6,000 professional firefighters. Its local affiliates represent first responders who work in dispatch centers, academies, airports, fire districts, suburban municipalities, and the state’s largest and busiest urban fire departments.

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