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NJDEP and DCA Joint News Release

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2026[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]

Contact:
Lawrence Hajna (DEP) (609) 984-1795
Tammori Petty-Dixon, Lisa Ryan, Judith Drucker (DCA)
(609) 292-6055

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SHERRILL ADMINISTRATION HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS OF HISTORIC PROGRAM HELPING HUNDREDS OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS REMOVE PFAS-CONTAINING FIREFIGHTING FOAMS

 

TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Community Affairs today highlighted the success of a major state-led effort to collect and safely destroy PFAS-containing firefighting foams from hundreds of fire departments across the state at no cost to them.

DEP Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak

The initiative, part of the Sherrill Administration’s mission to deliver on addressing complex environmental problems, is helping fire departments comply with state legislation banning the use and storage of these foams after Jan. 1, 2027. The effort is protecting communities and firefighters from the health and environmental threats these harmful chemicals pose.

Two regional sites have been collecting the firefighting foams throughout the month for destruction by an out-of-state contractor.

“We are extremely pleased that fire departments from across New Jersey have been stepping up to get rid of these foams and protect firefighters, their communities, and the environment from potential impacts from these dangerous chemicals,” DEP Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak said during a media event at the northern regional collection site in Hunterdon County. “The DEP is delivering on one of the Sherrill Administration’s environmental priorities to mitigate harmful PFAS, keeping them out of the environment and avoiding the extremely high cost of cleanup down the road.”

“Improving quality of life is at the heart of everything we do at the Department of Community Affairs. This includes stopping the use of cancer-causing firefighting foam in an effort to protect the health of New Jersey firefighters and the safety of drinking water supplies,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Working together with the Department of Environmental Protection and local fire departments across the state, our Department’s Division of Fire Safety (DFS) is proud to be part of this massive collection and disposal program that will reduce future environmental contamination.”

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us every day. The last thing they should have to worry about is exposure to dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ when they are using the very tools that are meant to keep them safe,” said Senator Troy Singleton, who authored the law banning PFAS in firefighting foam. “Protecting those who protect us will remain a top priority and I am encouraged by the State’s efforts to implement this law, and safely destroy PFAS-containing foam.”

“New Jersey is leading the way in addressing the serious public health risks posed by PFAS, the ‘forever chemicals’ that are pervasive in our consumer products, and now our environment,” said legislation sponsor Senator Linda Greenstein. “Efforts like this from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Community Affairs to safely collect and destroy material containing PFAS build off of our broader work to reduce exposure and strengthen protections, with the goal of ensuring a healthier environment for our residents in the future.”

Eliminating a Threat

State law adopted in 2024 directed the DEP to establish a collection and disposal program to address the risks posed by PFAS-containing firefighting foams, of which the most common is aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).

Believed to be one of the largest cooperative collection programs of its kind in the nation, New Jersey’s program is funded through a $16.6 million state appropriation.

elevated exposure to PFAS through firefighting foams
DEP and DCA’s Division of Fire Safety identified more than 400 fire departments eligible to participate and expect to collect approximately 150,000 gallons of firefighting foam. Participating fire departments were required to register in advance and have been advised of collection and drop-off requirements, including safe handling and transportation of the materials. No walk-ins are being accepted.

“Today we are continuing the process of removing these PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ from our fire departments throughout the state. Now is the time to begin the transition from these PFAS containing foams and move to safer fluorine-free alternatives,” said State Fire Marshal and Division of Fire Safety Director Wayne Wolk. “This is a good day for the fire service in New Jersey and the DFS, we will continue to advocate for the health and welfare of both our firefighters and residents to be free from these harmful chemicals.”

“Our members face elevated exposure to PFAS through firefighting foams and contaminated gear at much greater levels than the public. Remediation efforts being conducted will protect our firefighters and HAZMAT technicians from continued risks from these forever chemicals,” said New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association President Eddie Donnelly. “Cancer in the fire service is our number one killer. The NJFMBA is grateful for the partnership with our Legislature and Governor Sherrill for taking action to reduce long-term health concerns and ensure safer conditions for New Jersey’s first responders. We are the front lines of defense for our state and deserve nothing less than common sense collaboration to ensure New Jersey provides the protection, staffing and equipment for our women and men to do their jobs safely.”

Revive Environmental Contract

The DEP has contracted with Revive Environmental to manage the logistics, consolidation, storage, and certified destruction of collected AFFF materials. Collected foam will be transported to a Revive-operated treatment facility in Ohio, where PFAS compounds are permanently destroyed using high-temperature, high-pressure supercritical water oxidation.

Unlike disposal methods that may transfer PFAS to air, soil, or wastewater streams, this process breaks the chemical bonds apart and converts the materials into benign mineralized byproducts, treating water to standards that meet or exceed drinking water criteria.

“NJDEP is setting the standard for statewide PFAS action. With over 150,000 gallons of AFFF expected from hundreds of fire departments, this is one of the largest coordinated foam collection and destruction programs in U.S. history,” said Rick Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Revive Environmental. “Some of the most meaningful moments in my career have been sitting with firefighters and their families and hearing what it means to finally have this foam out of their stations.”

The Problem with PFAS in Firefighting Foams

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance) are synthetic chemicals linked to cancer, immune system impacts, and long-term environmental contamination. Because they do not readily break down, they can persist in water, soil, and the human body for decades.

Given their durability and water-resistance, they have been used in a wide variety of applications over the years, including non-stick cookware, water-repellant clothing, grease-resistant food packaging, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, cleaning products and cosmetics.

PFAS have also been used for decades PFAS have also been used for decades in certain firefighting foams because they form a highly effective barrier to extinguish high-hazard flammable liquid (Class B) fires, such as fuel, oil and grease fires. Due to its highly concentrated PFAS content, removing PFAS-containing foams from service is considered one of the most urgent and effective actions states can take to reduce future contamination risks.

When used in firefighting, these foams can seep into the ground and impact nearby water bodies, posing a serious threat to drinking water supplies. Studies have found elevated levels of PFAS in water sources near military bases, airports, and industrial sites where AFFF has been used extensively.

The state legislation signed in 2024 set a January 8, 2026, deadline for fire departments to cease using PFAS-containing firefighting foams. The deadline was extended to January 1, 2027.

Fire departments are responsible for the transition away from PFAS-containing firefighting foams. Modern alternatives that do not contain the harmful chemicals are available and suitable for most municipal firefighting applications.

Resources

Guidance to help fire departments prepare for the deadline to cease using PFAS-containing firefighting foams can be accessed on the DCA Division of Fire Safety’s website via the following links:

For more information about the collection program, visit dep.nj.gov/pfas/afff/

Media can access photos and b-roll footage taken at one of the AFFF collection sites here: https://njdep.photoshelter.com/galleries/G0000VrtIzwtrb1w/G0000VrtIzwtrb1w/AFFF-Collection-Program

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