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Fire Marshal Seeks Input from Fire Service Community on Safe Disposal of PFAS Foam
March 28, 2018
The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) today announced that State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is seeking the input of Michigan fire service departments and organizations regarding their use and disposal of fire suppression foam containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). MPART is aware that certain foam used during fire suppression and firefighter training may be the source of PFAS found in ground water in Michigan communities.
Sehlmeyer is surveying more than 1,000 fire service departments in an effort to identify the amount of PFAS foam and develop statewide solutions to dispose of the toxic firefighting foam properly and prevent further contamination throughout Michigan.
“The feedback we receive from our fire departments will be critical as MPART continues to develop detailed protocols to address this critical issue,” said Sehlmeyer. “I encourage everyone in the fire service community to participate in the survey and provide their best practices on the safe disposal of firefighting foam containing PFAS.”
Gov. Rick Snyder signed Executive Directive 2017-4, which established MPART to ensure a comprehensive, cohesive and timely response to the continued mitigation of PFAS across Michigan. The team is tasked with enhancing cooperation and coordination among local, state and federal agencies charged with identifying, communicating and addressing the potential effects of PFAS in Michigan and protecting public health. For more information about PFAS contamination and the coordinated efforts currently underway to address it in Michigan, visit: Michigan.gov/pfasresponse.
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