EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The East Providence Fire Department is set to be the first in Rhode Island to stop wearing equipment with polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” have been labeled by the National Cancer Institute as a human carcinogen, meaning they can cause cancer.

The City Council approved the purchase of new PFAS-free gear in a 3-2 vote on Wednesday.

“Our administration is committed to ensuring we provide the best public safety services available, while at the same time protecting those men and women who deliver these services for our residents,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said on Friday. “I want to thank Council President Bob Rodericks, Councilman Frank Fogerty and Councilwoman Anna Sousa for supporting this very important purchase.”

Fire Chief Michael Carey thanked the council for authorizing the purchase and added, “We need to get it off our people as fast as we can.”

Carey said firefighting gear that doesn’t contain PFAS only became available in the last few months.

“Following a thorough presentation and extensive discussion of this project with Mayor DaSilva, he promptly acknowledged the necessity of this transition and expeditiously located funding to accomplish this objective,” Carey said.

In Massachusetts, the House and Senate recently passed legislation to ban the sale of gear containing PFAS by 2027.

According to the city, the new gear will cost $658,000 which will covered by American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The city said firefighters started getting fitted for new gear on Friday. After that, the expectation is that it will be in use within 90 days.

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