Milliken & Company, Fire-Dex partner to provide fire department with non-PFAS turnout gear

Protective gear manufacturer Fire-Dex and textile manufacturer Milliken & Company have partnered to provide the East Providence Fire Department in East Providence, R.I., with non-PFAS turnout gear. The fire department is the first in the U.S. to use non-PFAS firefighter turnout gear department-wide.

The non-PFAS gear, which includes Milliken Assure™—a non-PFAS, non-halogenated flame-resistant moisture barrier—was purchased as part of a $658,000 investment by the city of East Providence. The department will be provided with 170 sets of turnout gear for its 125 full-time firefighters.

“This is about progress, partnership, and making deliberate decisions that reflect our department’s values,” says Michael Carey, East Providence fire chief. “We’re proud to work with U.S. suppliers who share our vision and respond with innovation and accountability.”

The decision comes amid growing momentum around PFAS alternatives in firefighting gear across the country, including H.B. 5019, a Rhode Island bill introduced earlier this year that would prohibit the use of intentionally added PFAS in firefighter turnout gear sold or used in the state beginning in 2027.

“Fire-Dex and Milliken listened closely to what we wanted and worked with us every step of the way,” says East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva. “This gear delivery represents more than new uniforms—it represents a commitment to keep our firefighters protected when they put their lives in danger to keep our communities safe.”

While non-fluorinated fabrics have existed for outer shells and thermal liners, the moisture barrier has historically relied on fluorochemicals for repellency and pathogen resistance. The introduction of Assure™ in October 2024 made it possible for Fire-Dex to provide a solution where all three layers meet performance expectations without the use of PFAS chemistry. The non-PFAS gear underwent rigorous performance and safety testing and is UL certified, meeting the NFPA 1971-2018 standard.

Fire-Dex has provided turnout gear to East Providence firefighters for more than 20 years and has collaborated with Milliken for the past decade.