### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham's Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee met on January 27, 2025, for a brief 11-minute session. Committee Chair Daniel Hammill, along with members Skip Williams and Michael Lilliquist, addressed two key public safety items: funding for PFAS-free protective gear for firefighter-paramedics and an update on the city's comprehensive emergency management planning. ### Key Terms and Concepts **PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances):** Chemical compounds known as "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment and human body, found in firefighting gear and linked to cancers, liver disease, and thyroid problems. **Response Gear:** Specialized protective equipment for firefighters that is dual-compliant for rescue, EMS, and vegetation fires but is not a replacement for full structural firefighting gear (bunker gear). **Home-funded:** Employees whose salaries and benefits are paid from the city's General Fund (city taxes) rather than from special funds like the Whatcom County EMS levy. **Medic One Fund:** Special funding source from Whatcom County's Emergency Medical Services levy that pays for approximately 46 paramedic positions in the fire department. **Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP):** A high-level strategic document required by Washington state that outlines how the city coordinates emergency response across all types of disasters. **All-hazards approach:** Emergency planning philosophy that creates frameworks flexible enough to respond to any type of disaster rather than planning for specific events. **Interlocal Agreement (ILA):** A contract between government jurisdictions that allows them to share costs, resources, or responsibilities. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Daniel Hammill | Committee Chair, Third Ward Council Member | | Edwin H. "Skip" Williams | Committee Member, Fourth Ward Council Member | | Michael Lilliquist | Committee Member, Sixth Ward Council Member | | David Pethick | Assistant Fire Chief | | Jonah Stinson | Emergency Management Plans Coordinator | ### Background Context The city's firefighters face significant health risks from PFAS chemicals in their traditional protective gear, with studies linking these substances to various cancers and diseases. In 2024, the council approved funding to purchase safer gear for general fund employees, but paramedics funded through the county's EMS levy needed separate funding authorization. This reflects the complex funding structure where some city employees are paid through special levies rather than general city taxes. Simultaneously, the city is updating its emergency management plan for the first time since 2018, incorporating lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and new state guidance emphasizing inclusive communication and vulnerable population needs. This planning work is legally required by Washington state and helps coordinate the city's response with county, state, and federal emergency systems. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee unanimously approved an $83,781 agreement with Whatcom County to purchase PFAS-free protective gear for 46 paramedics funded by the EMS levy, completing the city's transition away from toxic "forever chemicals" in firefighter equipment. Assistant Fire Chief Pethick explained that this specialized gear allows firefighters to avoid traditional bunker gear on non-structural calls like vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. Committee members also received an informational update on the city's emergency management plan revision, which will be submitted to the state by March 31st and return to council for formal adoption after state review. ### What to Watch Next - **Second quarter 2025:** PFAS-free gear expected to arrive and be distributed to all firefighters - **March 31, 2025:** City submits updated emergency management plan to Washington State Emergency Management Division - **Spring 2025:** State completes 45-day review of emergency plan, then returns to council for formal adoption ---