Michigan Fire Department Survey

Class B foam is the most effective way to combat Class B fires and save human lives, but it can contain PFAS. PFAS is the entire class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which contains thousands of individual PFAS chemicals. To find out which fire stations in Michigan currently have or have had Class B foam, and therefore the potential to use or have used foam containing PFAS, the Fire Marshal conducted a survey of all Michigan fire stations in 2018. 

A total of 1,035 fire departments received the survey in March 2018. The survey is closed as of October 1, 2020. The key questions the survey asked were:

• Whether the fire department has Class B foam and if so, how many gallons.
• When the last time the fire department trained with Class B foam.
• If the fire department used the Class B foam for an emergency within the last 5 years.

RESULTS

Approximately 803 (or 77%) of the fire departments surveyed responded as of September 30, 2020, and of these, 383 (48%) reported having Class B foam.  The total amount of Class B foam reported was 40,812 gallons.

The survey results were used to develop a statewide solution for collecting and disposing of most of the Class B foam so it no longer poses a threat to the environment. Not all Class B foam will be collected and disposed because:

• Some fire stations will need to continue to have some Class B foam on hand if they are likely at some point to have to extinguish a Class B fire to save human life.
• Currently, there are limited PFAS-free Class B foams available.  Fire departments looking for replacement foam that is PFAS-free should thoroughly research the alternatives prior to purchasing.

Use and PPE

Rules involve the containment and handling of PFAS materials, including the decontamination of PPE, following the use of AFFF and a prohibition for AFFF in training purposes.  Also, beginning on January 1, 2020, AFFF should not be used for equipment calibration purposes, subject to two exceptions. 

Beginning on October 6, 2020, AFFF must not be used in any training.  Also, until December 31, 2023, the training must follow two requirements:  (1) include the proper use, handling, and storage of the AFFF; and (2) adhere to the best environmental and public health practices, including the containment, disposal, and decontamination of the PPE.

Notification

Immediately after a fire department uses AFFF, the fire chief shall report the incident to the Michigan Pollution Emergency Alert System.

Take-Back Provisions

 A collection program is available for properly disposing of any firefighting foam containing PFAS substances.

Regulatory Status

Enacted

Legislative Reference

MI Comp Laws 408-1014r http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-408-1014r

MI Comp Laws 29-369c http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-29-369c-added

MI Comp Laws 324-14703 http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-324-14703

MI Comp Laws 324-14705 http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-324-14705