New York’s Broome County Office for Emergency Services announced a newer and healthier firefighting foam will be donated to 11 fire departments across the Southern Tier of the Empire state within the county to mitigate damage to the environment and to protect the health of firefighters.
According to officials, 193 five-gallons containers of “green plus” foam will be donated to the 11 departments. This new foam will be more eco-friendly and will expose firefighters to less toxic chemicals such as cancer-causing polyfluorinated substances, or PFAS.
The county purchased the green plus foam for roughly $50,000. Since exposure to PFAS can cause health risks, including kidney disease, liver disease and cancer. County officials said it is important to keep first responders safe on the job.
Broome County’s Fire Coordinator, Jeffrey Buckler explained there’s two types of foam, one for structural fires and the other for liquids. The foam that was procured is a Type-B Foam that’s used for flammable liquids and hydrocarbons. It basically creates a blanket over the fuel to suppress the vapors which basically leads to extinguishment.” Buckler says the foam mixes into the hose line and gets sprayed directly onto the fire.
The new foam was offered to all Broome County fire departments.
According to officials, 193 five-gallons containers of “green plus” foam will be donated to the 11 departments. This new foam will be more eco-friendly and will expose firefighters to less toxic chemicals such as cancer-causing polyfluorinated substances, or PFAS.
The county purchased the green plus foam for roughly $50,000. Since exposure to PFAS can cause health risks, including kidney disease, liver disease and cancer. County officials said it is important to keep first responders safe on the job.
Broome County’s Fire Coordinator, Jeffrey Buckler explained there’s two types of foam, one for structural fires and the other for liquids. The foam that was procured is a Type-B Foam that’s used for flammable liquids and hydrocarbons. It basically creates a blanket over the fuel to suppress the vapors which basically leads to extinguishment.” Buckler says the foam mixes into the hose line and gets sprayed directly onto the fire.
The new foam was offered to all Broome County fire departments.
