Traditional AFFF formulations contained PFAS compounds that persist in the body and have been linked to kidney cancer and testicular cancer.
Military bases
Virginia has one of the largest concentrations of military installations in the country. Military and civilian firefighters used AFFF during aircraft crash response, fuel spill emergencies, and recurring training exercises at installations including:
- Naval Station Norfolk
- Naval Air Station Oceana
- Joint Base Langley-Eustis
- Marine Corps Base Quantico
- Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
- Fort Gregg-Adams
- Fort Belvoir
Airports
Virginia's commercial airports maintained ARFF crews trained for crash drills, live-fire exercises, and fuel spill response. Covered airports include:
- Ronald Reagan Washington National
- Washington Dulles International
- Richmond International
- Norfolk International
- Newport News/Williamsburg International
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs operates a statewide ARFF training program using a mobile aircraft rescue simulator supporting firefighters across the Commonwealth.
Volunteer fire departments
Virginia has hundreds of volunteer and combination fire departments serving rural communities, industrial facilities, transportation corridors, and airports. Departments may have trained with or deployed AFFF while protecting:
- Fuel terminals
- Chemical facilities
- Military installations
- Interstate highway corridors
Fire training facilities
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs provides regional training for career and volunteer firefighters, including an ARFF program operating since 1998. Regional fire academies and local department training programs also contributed to repeated foam exposure through live-fire exercises conducted over many years.