NFPA Denies Lawsuit Impacted Policy
But NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley pushed back against any suggestion that the lawsuit spurred reform, emphasizing that the legal battle had “no bearing” on the organization’s decision to update its safety standards.
“The IAFF’s legal strategy was misguided and not supported by the facts,” Pauley said. “It was clear from the discovery process that the remaining claims had no basis. We are pleased that they have asked the court to dismiss all claims.”
The NFPA maintains that its standards are created through a neutral, consensus-based process involving firefighters, regulators, industry experts, and consumer advocates — not corporate influence.
Legal Teams and Industry Implications
The IAFF was represented by Motley Rice LLC, Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo PC, and Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP, while the NFPA’s defense was led by Hogan Lovells.
The Firefighters Union PFAS Suit drop marks a pivotal moment in the growing national reckoning over PFAS exposure, which has triggered dozens of lawsuits by firefighters, municipalities, and environmental groups against manufacturers and regulatory bodies alike.
Though the lawsuit has ended, the broader fight over PFAS in firefighting gear — and its potential links to cancer and chronic illness — is far from over. As one veteran firefighter said in a recent union forum, “The gear keeps us alive in the flames — but it shouldn’t kill us later.”
