In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara speaks with Jeff Knobbe, firefighter and PPE specialist who shares his personal thoughts on PFAS and how it is affecting firefighters across the country.

Jeff starts the episode by sharing with listeners, how he became involved in the fire service.  Jeff then talks about his dealings with the NFPA, manufacturers, and other organizations involved regarding PFAS in turnout gear, and what he personally feels is needed to ensure turnout gear from this point forward is safer to use.

Jeff then discusses what role local, state, and federal government officials as well as local and or state unions have with ensuring emergency responders are protected from unnecessary exposure to PFAS or other toxins.

As the episode wraps-up, Kevin asks Jeff about the upcoming F.I.E.R.O. PPE symposium and what attendees can expect next year. 

Links to topics mentioned during the episode
NFPA 1971Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

NFPA 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

F.I.E.R.O. Symposium


Sponsor Information
Fire Dept. Coffee
Fire Dept. Coffee Foundation

Fire Dept. Coffee
Veteran owned and run by firefighters, Fire Dept. Coffee offers a wide variety of delicious coffee

AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

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In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara provides his own opinion about PFAS, firefighter turnout gear, and the NFPA, in particular, the certification process for firefighter turnout gear and what he and many others believe needs to be changed.

Before the episode begins, host Kevin Ferrara shares the exciting news that Fire Dept. Coffee is now a sponsor of The Weekend Wrap-up podcast.  Listeners who use promo code AFSO21 at checkout will receive a 10% discount.  Even better, 10% of net proceeds from every single sale benefits wounded, ill, or injured firefighters and other first responders through the Fire Dept. Coffee Foundation.

Kevin talks about what previous guests of the show, firefighters Sean Mitchell and Larissa Conroy had to say about their thoughts on the issue of PFAS found in firefighter turnout gear and how there was a common concern between the two of them, that being what the NFPA is doing and what more they can do.

Kevin stresses the importance that emergency responders become intimately familiar with NFPA 1971, NFPA 1500, and NFPA 1851, three standards that deal with firefighter turnout gear.  Furthermore, Kevin encourages individuals with questions, concerns, and comments MUST utilize the public comment opportunity for applicable NFPA codes and standards when it becomes available.

As the episode wraps-up, Kevin circles back to an incident he has been following in Okinawa where 60,000 gallons of firefighting foam was released and spilled into a local community.  Kevin talks about the press release the US Marines provided that in Kevin's eyes, has some discrepancies that warrant further investigation, especially with many US Marines being unnecessarily exposed to the hazardous and toxic firefighting foam.

Links to topics mentioned during the episode
NFPA 1971Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

NFPA 1971 Next Edition News

NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program

NFPA 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

Blood Testing for DoD Firefighters, Military.com Story (July 2020)

Sponsor Information
Fire Dept. Coffee
Fire Dept. Coffee Foundation

Fire Dept. Coffee
Veteran owned and run by firefighters, Fire Dept. Coffee offers a wide variety of delicious coffee

Contact AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast -

• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara speaks one-on-one with Larissa Conroy, Orlando FD firefighter paramedic, and Olympic weightlifter

Larissa begins the interview discussing how she became a firefighter and why she is so passionate about career development and secondary education.

Throughout the interview, Larissa speaks about mentors and how first impressions can have an impact on new firefighters, sharing her experience as a cadet in a fire academy.

When asked, Larissa speaks passionately about PFAS and how she, until recently, did not know what PFAS was and where it is found in firefighting equipment.  Knowing more about PFAS and the hazards it presents today, Larissa speaks about what she feels must be accomplished to educate emergency responders and what those responsible for producing products with PFAS must do to better inform end-users.

As the episode wraps-up, Larissa shares why pride and loyalty are important to her personally and the fire service.

If you want to follow Larissa's accomplishments, check out her social media pages below.

Larissa Conroy Facebook Page

Larissa Conroy Instagram Page: @larissaconroy


Be sure to follow AFSO21 at afso21.com.  

To contact host Kevin Ferrara, please send an email to: [email protected]

Pod Decks
Pod Decks helps podcasters grow their audience while having unique and deeper conversations.

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• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up, host Kevin Ferrara speaks one-on-one with Sean Mitchel, Secretary/Treasurer of Nantucket Firefighters Local 2509.

Sean begins the interview discussing how he became a firefighter and what led him to where he is today in the fire service highlighting who his mentors were and continue to be.

Throughout the interview, Sean explains how he personally became involved in researching PFAS and why the topic is so important to him and his family.  Sean states he personally feels manufacturers, unions, and even the NFPA have an obligation to ensure firefighters are protected from being needlessly exposed to Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

Both Sean and Kevin speak about how the NFPA must review current PPE standards and make critical changes in how firefighting turnout gear is certified.  Sean highlights the need for more public comment during the NFPA standards review process.  Both Sean and Kevin agree that turnout gear manufactured from this point on must be PFAS free.

Sean explains how some individuals battling PFAS, like Diane and Paul Cotter, two individuals host Kevin Ferrara has spoken with and continues to work with on a regular basis, have been repeatedly lambasted by manufacturers and some unions, essentially targeting Diane's stellar work regarding PFAS in turnout gear, claiming her findings are false.  Fortunately, Diane and her colleagues have been able to provide factual evidence showing PFAS in firefighter turnout gear and how PFAS continues to contaminate ground and drinking water across the globe. 

Both Sean and Kevin speak about how firefighter unions have a golden opportunity to become leaders regarding how they will take on the PFAS issue and represent firefighters, choosing to conduct themselves either in a passive or active manner. 

NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

International Association of Fire Fighters (Contact Page)

Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (Contact Page)

Your Turnout Gear and PFOA (Diane and Paul Cotter)

AFSO21 Home Page

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Pod Decks helps podcasters grow their audience while having unique and deeper conversations.

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As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode of AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up, host Kevin Ferrara talks about why mentoring in the firehouse is important and what affect or impact it has on each individual and the organization overall.

Kevin then provides updates to the Edwards Air Force Base High Expansion Foam incident and explains why it is important now more than ever to contact your local, state, and federal representatives demanding regulations are implemented for chemicals used in products and or equipment used by firefighters.

Updates to the Edwards AFB incident can be followed on the AFSO21 Facebook page

Information regarding PFAS can be found on AFSO21

AFSO21 Links:
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In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks to listeners about firefighters at Edwards Air Force Base in California training with high expansion foam (HEF) during an exercise involving an aircraft hangar.  The HEF foam contains hazardous chemicals similar to AFFF yet, firefighters were unnecessarily exposed to toxic foam who likely believed the material was safe thereby why they were lacking proper PPE.

Kevin provides his opinion about how leaders in the fire service seemingly enable exposures like that at Edwards Air Force Base and other military and civilian locations to occur without accountability.  Kevin also speaks about previous incidents involving AFFF at active and former military installations where firefighting foam has contaminated local communities and to date, no clean-up has occurred.

Link to OSHA Hazard Classification Guidance for Manufacturers, Importers, and Employers: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3844.pdf

Edwards Air Force Base Hangar Search & Rescue Exercise: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/762455/edwards-afb-firefighters-conduct-search-and-rescue-training-during-foam-test

Additional video of exercise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV3uClQK4wg&fbclid=IwAR14scX4vnBEDsdwfNZZnzxnN5bVTUz2Y9gsSiH8Y-3XiY7jUkkV9wvmXA8

Link to the AFSO21 Web site: http://www.afso21.com

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In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara talks with military veteran and former firefighter Vince Davis.  Vince is a leader and mentor in the fire service that many look to for guidance and encouragement.  Vince is an outspoken individual that says what he thinks and means what he says.  Not afraid to speak about the ongoing AFFF issues plaguing the fire service and the military, Vince has voiced his concerns that AFSO21 echo.

Listeners will hear from Vince regarding his exposure to AFFF and PFAS and how his recent blood test has affected his life.

Vince gives advice to firefighters on what they need to do to stay healthy and why stating on top of their medical care is important.

Here are some links Vince speaks about throughout the podcast:

US Military Firefighter's Cancer Information Exchange
https://www.facebook.com/US-Military-Firefighters-Cancer-Information-Exchange-740142489474441

Retired Air Force Fire Officers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/208134052591708

Department of Defense (federal) Firefighters
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dodfederalfirefighters

DoD Fire and Emergency Services
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DoDFire

USAF Firefighters
https://www.facebook.com/groups/45926182141

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In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara talks with military veteran and former firefighter Dan Casson.  Dan submitted several claims for VA disability and was finally successful in receiving a 100% rating due to his cancer that his doctors and the VA attributed to his exposure to AFFF and firefighting while in the military.

Listeners will hear from Dan how exposure to AFFF and his battle with numerous forms of cancer has affected not just himself, but his family.

Dan talks about how his battle is like a military mission where you "don't quit" and why it's important to keep seeking answers.

We'll be following up with Dan later to see how he is doing as he begins his second fight against cancer.

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As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks about the recent study conducted by Doctor Graham Peaslee and his colleagues who found firefighter turnout gear contains PFAS and that when subjected to abrasion, sheds particulates containing PFAS that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled.  The research also found that PFAS was found on the gloves of those testing the samples.

As the episode closes, host, Kevin Ferrara talks about how Japanese officials are becoming impatient with the lack of transparency from the U.S. Department of Defense regarding numerous incidents on Okinawa involving firefighting foam or chemicals.. 

And finally, Kevin talks about how PFAS levels at the U.S. Air Force Academy have declined but no answers were provided by the Air Force or the Department of Defense as to why.

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Doctor Graham Peaslee PFAS in PPE Study: https://www.lastcallfoundation.org/nd-article
  • PDF Copy of PPE Study: https://3242eb8e-ff90-4a39-ab6d-1b93ce14cbad.filesusr.com/ugd/ca355f_3468c00158104a169196fb1d59e94f3a.pdf
  • PDF Copy of PPE Study Supporting Documents: https://3242eb8e-ff90-4a39-ab6d-1b93ce14cbad.filesusr.com/ugd/ca355f_0bb813c764034d8191f7de6ac9acfb2b.pdf
• Japanese Officials Becoming Impatient with U.S. Department of Defense:https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japanese-officials-lodge-complaints-with-us-military-over-okinawa-hazmat-fire-at-kadena-air-base-1.634827?fbclid=IwAR06vFv8I5v94mgdJJtdSgoJcVGhqGenyzpxM3qovGeV5142mrz8CniHOuM
• Air Force Academy PFAS Testing Results Decline: https://www.usafa.af.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2232446/additional-pfospfoa-test-results-on-af-academy-border-show-levels-below-epa-est/
• AFSO21 Radio Website: https://afso21.com/podcast

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• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara is seeking military firefighters who have stories to share with the No Defense documentary filmmakers who are working on a new project highlighting the impact AFFF and PFAs have on individuals.  This is an opportunity to share with the world, the significance AFFF has had on end-users who for the longest time, simply wanted answers as to why they or their family members are/were sick.

If you are interested in sharing your AFFF story, please email Kevin your contact information and a brief description of your story to: [email protected]

In other news, host Kevin Ferrara talks about the hazards associated with artificial turf used in many high school sports fields.  These fields have been found to contain PFAS due to the unrecyclable materials used in the products.

In the United Kingdom, Kevin learned there are increased concerns with PFAS in food packaging.  Kevin learned that of the 20 samples tested, 95% tested positive for PFAS.  This is of great concern for consumers who simply may not be aware of the products their food is stored in has the potential of contaminating their food.

As the episode closes, host, Kevin Ferrara talks about how 3M, a giant in the manufacturing industry using PFAS, has joined a New Hampshire utility company in an ongoing legal case.  Listeners will hear how 3M is underwriting the legal fees for the utility company despite what some consider is an ethical conflict of interest.

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• PFAS in Playing Fields: https://www.fosters.com/news/20200613/citizens-group-says-test-shows-pfas-in-phs-athletic-field
• No Defense Documentary: https://www.nodefensedoc.com/
• UK Food Packaging PFAS Concerns: https://chemtrust.org/pfas-food-packaging-uk/
• 3M Underwriting Legal Fees: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pfas-project/pfas-maker-3m-pays-utilitys-legal-fees-in-state-regulatory-fight
• AFFF Manufacturers Congressional Testimony: https://www.minnpost.com/national/2019/09/3m-grilled-over-pfas-chemicals-at-congressional-hearing/

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• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!