IAFF Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Against NFPA Over Firefighter Gear Standards
The International Association of Fire Fighters has moved to dismiss all remaining claims in its lawsuit against the National Fire Protection Association, ending a legal dispute over firefighter protective gear standards.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Oct 07, 2025
The International Association of Fire Fighters has asked a Boston court to dismiss all remaining claims against the National Fire Protection Association from a lawsuit filed in March 2023 over firefighter protective gear standards.
The motion, filed Oct. 6, seeks dismissal with prejudice, meaning IAFF cannot bring the same suit again. A portion of the lawsuit was dismissed in March 2024, and IAFF is now asking to end the case following a discovery process that, according to NFPA, confirmed the soundness of its standards development process.
NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley said the outcome affirms that the association’s consensus-based process is the appropriate forum for developing firefighter gear standards. “As NFPA stated from the very beginning, the IAFF’s legal strategy was misguided and not supported by the facts,” Pauley said. “We are pleased that they have asked the court to dismiss all claims.”
NFPA said the lawsuit had no impact on its standards development process, which relies on independent technical committees composed of expert volunteers from the fire service, government, industry, and consumer groups. The organization emphasized its neutral role in the process, stating that all proposed changes to standards are reviewed publicly and that no more than one-third of any technical committee can represent the same interest category.
The lawsuit originally alleged conspiracy and other claims related to standards development, but a judge dismissed the conspiracy claim in 2024, finding no factual basis for the allegations.
NFPA’s firefighter turnout gear standards have evolved since 1975, with the latest version—NFPA 1970—taking effect in September 2024. The standard includes updates on restricted substances, UV light resistance, and fluorine content testing.
The IAFF has long participated in NFPA’s code development process. NFPA said it remains committed to collaborating with the fire service to protect firefighter health and safety, including addressing occupational cancer risks through research and education.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.