QUINCY, Mass. — A packed crowd at Quincy City Hall applauded after city councilors voted unanimously on March 23 to replace all of the fire department’s gear in an effort to reduce their firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
The vote comes after experts last summer found elevated levels of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” in firefighters’ gear, CBS Boston reported. Earlier in March, the department sought $2.6 million to buy two sets of new gear for all firefighters. But in a 5-4 vote, the City Council declined to advance the funding request out of committee. Officials have now approved replacing the equipment…