Posted on October 02nd, 2025
Firefighters may be exposed to AFFF foam or contaminated equipment repeatedly and directly, depending on their certification. If you develop cancer while serving in one of these specialized roles, you might be eligible for compensation, since your certification ties your service history to your exposure to AFFF.
Firefighters must complete both Firefighter I and Firefighter II training to obtain specialized certifications. Due to this progression, firefighters with extensive exposure histories are more likely to have successful claims.
HazMat technician
HazMat technicians identify and control chemical releases, operate foam systems, manage decontamination, and frequently handle concentrated AFFF products. Class B foams are applied specifically to suppress fuel and chemical fires, foam is mixed and pumped, tanks are drained, and contaminated equipment is cleaned.
There are multiple ways to become exposed to foam concentrates: direct contact with the foam concentrates, inhalation of aerosolized foam during suppression operations, and contamination of gear during decontamination. HazMat units manage foam operations and decon activities for fire departments, and biomonitoring studies confirm elevated levels of PFAS in firefighters involved in repeated AFFF operations.
Technical rescue specialist
Technical Rescue certifications cover high-angle, confined space, trench, collapse, and vehicle extrication rescues. Many technical rescue incidents occur at industrial sites, fuel transport areas, or chemical facilities where AFFF is stored and deployed. Often, tech rescue crews enter contaminated hot zones where foam has been used or participate in decontamination operations after foam is deployed.
PFAS-laden runoff, contaminated debris, and cross-contamination on rescue gear expose these specialists to PFAS. Research on PFAS in fire service environments shows that secondary exposures from runoff, gear, and dust are significant. Specialized teams working in confined or contaminated spaces may receive higher dermal and inhalation exposure compared to general firefighting operations.
Driver/operator (Apparatus engineer)
A Certified Driver/Operator maintains and operates apparatus systems, such as foam proportioners, onboard tanks, and pump panels. Their responsibilities include loading, mixing, and flushing foam systems, handling concentrates, and disposing of foam-contaminated water.
This group of specialists is regularly exposed to foam concentrates during system testing and flushing operations. The residue of contamination persists in tanks, hoses, and pump lines, resulting in ongoing exposure. Regular foam-system testing is noted in fire apparatus and pump maintenance records, and AFFF exposure reviews identify foam-system service as a key contact point.
The frequent deployment of AFFFs for the suppression of flammable liquid fires at airports or industrial facilities exposes drivers to high levels of exposure.
Why specialized certifications strengthen your claim
Certifications prove you have been trained and authorized to perform high-exposure tasks, creating credible proof of repeated contact with PFAS-containing products. Certifications are given significant weight by claim reviewers and courts as evidence of occupational exposure.
Certification combined with duty logs creates a much stronger exposure narrative than general firefighting experience alone. A higher cumulative exposure to AFFF is associated with specialties that involve more direct foam interaction, including participation in AFFF training exercises and live fire suppression exercises.
Equipment and surfaces are persistently contaminated with PFAS in AFFF and treated gear, exposing specialized roles to continued exposure throughout routine maintenance and training.
ELG Law maximizes the value of your specialized training
Specialized certifications pose unique challenges in proving exposure claims, but they also provide some of the strongest evidence. With over three decades of experience handling toxic exposure cases, ELG Law knows which records carry the most weight for special certifications.
Our process is straightforward: provide your medical records, employment documentation, and certification records. We'll handle the rest, including locating department foam-system logs, training exercise records, and equipment inventories that many firefighters don't realize exist or can access.
Get a free case evaluation from ELG Law. We'll show you how your certification strengthens your claim and what compensation you may be entitled to if you served in a specialized role and developed cancer due to exposure to AFFF.
