The City Council at its August 7 meeting approved three items pertaining the East Providence Fire Department, including a resolution allowing it to become the first in the state to purchase gear free of the carcinogenic polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS.

The Council approved the vote, 3-2. Ward 1's Frank Rego and Ward 4's Rick Lawson questioned the source of the funding by the administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva in voting against the measure.

The body also tallied unanimously on the other EPFD matters: approving the purchase of a new emergency rescue vehicle and appropriating funds for firefighter cancer screenings.

More gear notes
The National Cancer Institute in 2023 classified PFAS are as a human carcinogen. The substances are known to be "forever chemicals," nonstick, stain-repellent and waterproof compounds.

EPFD Chief Mike Carey noted PFAS in the gear is becoming a greater national issue. For example, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts state legislature just implemented a law barring manufacturers from selling equipment containing PFAS as of 2027.

Carey said most companies include two types of "forever chemicals" in their gear, adding, ''We need to get this off our people as fast as we can."

The known health risks include testicular, kidney, liver and pancreatic cancer; reproductive problems; weakened childhood immunity; low birth weight; endocrine disruption; increased cholesterol; weight gain in children and dieting adults.

The chief continued, the cost of new gear sans PFAS has risen some 50% in the last five years driven by increases passed along to purchasers by the manufacturers.

To pay for the purchase from the MES Shipman's Fire Equipment Co., the administration requested the Council use $658,000 in unencumbered federal American Rescue Plan Act funding.

Chief of Staff Patricia Resende told the Council the ARPA monies became available through a joint water venture with the Town of Barrington. For its contribution, the latter is reimbursing the city the aforementioned $658,000 figure.

Carey also said the department had $98,000 set aside from its current Fiscal Year 2024 budget  to buy the gear.

The two sums together will allow the EPFD to purchase 175 sets of gear (Fire-Dex FXR, TecGen 71 coats and pants), which will fully outfit the current quota of 111 firefighters.

"We have to replace gear quickly," Carey said, saying it can be cleaned regularly, but if ever contaminated, "we sometimes have to throw it out."

The gear has a 10-year life span, the chief added. Money is budgeted every year to buy replacements, usually up to 10-12 sets annually.

Carey said the expectation is for the new gear to measured, manufactured, delivered and put into service within the next three months.

Cancer screenings
The Council also approved a resolution to send firefighters to the AtMed Treatment Center in Johnston to perform annual hazmat physicals and cancer screenings.

Carey said the funds were included in the Fiscal Year 2024 EPFD budget.

The city's healthcare provider does not cover this specific aspect. Carey said the department is required to provide the screenings every three years for all personnel.

The cost is $885 per EPFD employee or $99,120 total.

The screenings include skin cancer, testing for blood in urine for bladder cancer, PSA (prostate blood test) for all male members, fecal occult test for colon cancer and an X-Ray “B Read” for indications
of lung cancer.

New rescue
As for the new EPFD emergency medical services vehicle, Carey said it will replace the existing Rescue 3.

The vehicle, a 2024 RAM 5500 diesel Wheeled Coach Type 1 Ambulance, is being bought from Greenwood Emergency Vehicles at a cost of $415,200. The monies were approved by the Council out of the FY24 Capital Improvements fund.

"We're in that cycle where we're trying to purchase one (new apparatus) per year," Carey explained, adding for most new vehicles the design-to-delivery process takes about "two-and-a half years."

The chief said Greenwood Emergency Vehicles "happened to have one already in the pipeline."

Because of that, Carey said the department expects to take delivery in December. The chief added while the rescue doesn't completely mesh with what the department would have sought if it had been designed specifically by the EPFD, "it's not far off from the specs we usually use."

The chief told the Council the department's reserve fleet is "on their last leg" and it the city doesn't continued to replacement cycle in place "we'll be in dire straights."

Carey reminded the body the EPFD began the process of acquiring two new engines two years ago, paid for with ARPA funds. Those vehicles are nearing completion. The chief said member of the department will travel on-site to the manufacturer to make final inspections on August 20.

Fire academy
On an aside, the chief told the Council the latest class of recruits is about to start the Rhode Island Fire Academy on August 26. Once completed, the probationary firefighters will join the EPFD in November and, if they fulfill all the requirements, will be hired full-time in January of 2025.