AVOCA BOROUGH, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — The Avoca Fire Department has received funding from Norfolk Southern Railroad to replace firefighting foam that contains chemicals linked to health and environmental concerns.
The department announced it was awarded a grant through Norfolk Southern’s Safety First Grant Program to purchase F500 Encapsulator Agent, a PFAS-free firefighting foam.
According to fire officials, the new product will replace older AFFF foam, a firefighting agent that has been widely used for decades but is known to contain PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS compounds have been linked to a variety of health concerns and have become the focus of increasing environmental regulations across the country.
Department officials said the new foam is non-cancerous and PFAS-free, making it safer for firefighters while reducing potential environmental impacts.
“This upgrade means safer operations for our firefighters and better protection for our community and environment,” the department said in a social media announcement.