Traditional AFFF contained PFAS compounds that persist in the human body, accumulating especially in the kidneys and increasing the risk of kidney and testicular cancers among exposed firefighters statewide.
Military bases
Pennsylvania has several military installations where Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting units historically used AFFF during aircraft emergencies and fuel-fire training, including:
- Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg
- Letterkenny Army Depot
- Carlisle Barracks
- Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center
- Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station
- Harrisburg Air National Guard Base
- Horsham Air Guard Station
Airports
Pennsylvania's largest airports each operate dedicated ARFF units required to maintain foam capable of suppressing aircraft fuel fires. Firefighters trained and responded at:
- Philadelphia International
- Pittsburgh International
- Harrisburg International
- Lehigh Valley International
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International
- Erie International
- Arnold Palmer Regional
Volunteer fire departments
Pennsylvania has more fire departments than any other state and is widely recognized as the birthplace of the volunteer fire service in North America. Volunteer firefighters encountered AFFF while responding to highway tanker crashes, fuel storage fires, industrial plant incidents, and petroleum facility emergencies.
Fire training facilities
The Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown provides resident and local-level training, including Airport Firefighter certification requiring specialized ARFF instruction. Philadelphia International and Pittsburgh International Airports also host dedicated ARFF Training Centers offering FAA-mandated annual live-fire aircraft rescue training.