Florida is officially putting the squeeze on a staple of firefighting: the traditional foam that contains PFAS, often dubbed “forever chemicals” and linked in studies to cancer and other health harms. A new state law sets a hard timeline for phasing that foam out, pushing local fire departments across Tampa Bay to catalog what they have, plan for disposal, and move to PFAS-free replacements while juggling procurement, training, and budgets.
What the bill requires and when
The measure, known as the Joe Casello Act (CS/CS/HB 1019), phases aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, out in stages. Starting July 1, 2026, departments will no longer be allowed to use AFFF for non-emergency instruction, training, or testing. On July 1, 2027, the sale and distribution of AFFF in Florida will be barred. By July 1, 2029, possession and routine use will be largely prohibited, with only limited exceptions still on the books.
The law also requires any entity that still holds AFFF to report its stock and to prepare disposal plans for what remains. The specific timelines and obligations are spelled out in a Florida Senate summary of the bill.
How Tampa Bay departments will be affected…