PFAs are forever chemicals that remain in our watershed. Per a press release today, Horry County Fire Rescue becomes the first in SC to use non PFAs tournout gear.
HORRY COUNTY, SC (Aug. 19, 2025) – Horry County Fire Rescue has become the first in South
Carolina to purchase and use non PFAS turnout gear—an industry milestone achieved through a
collaborative partnership with protective gear manufacturer Fire-Dex and textile innovator
Milliken & Company.
Horry County Fire Rescue chose Milliken AssureTM—North America’s first non-PFAS,
non-halogenated flame-resistant moisture barrier for their Fire-Dex gear. The initial delivery
of 80 turnout sets arrived at the end of June, marking the beginning of their transition. With a
commitment to health and safety, Horry County is working toward outfitting all 700 personnel
with a fully non-PFAS solution.
Horry County Fire Rescue Leads the Way in Non-PFAS Gear Adoption
“Our new turnout gear is a game-changer for our department. Every firefighter is a neighbor,
a friend, or family—and their health matters,” says Horry County Fire Rescue ,Assistant Chief Loeper. “Knowing that we are transitioning them to non-PFAS gear without compromising durability and high
performance, gives me real peace of mind. It’s one more way we’re making sure everyone
goes home safe.”
The transition marks the culmination of a co-led effort that began in 2021 with non-PFAS
outer shells and thermal liners. And now, the addition of a high-performance non-PFAS
moisture barrier results in a complete turnout gear solution that does not rely on fluorinated
chemistry across any of its three protective layers.
“This delivery is especially exciting because these firefighters serve our home state of South
Carolina,” said Marcio Manique, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Milliken’s
Apparel Business at Milliken & Company. “In partnership with the team at Fire-Dex, we’re
proud to equip these brave men and women with the best materials available to firefighters
in the U.S.”
While non-fluorinated fabrics have existed for outer shells and thermal liners, the moisture
barrier has historically relied on fluorochemicals for repellency and pathogen resistance. The
introduction of AssureTM in October 2024 made it possible for departments nationwide to
purchase gear where all three layers meet performance expectations without the use of PFAS
chemistry. The gear went through rigorous performance and safety testing and is UL certified
and meets the NFPA 1971-2018 standard.
Fire-Dex has worked with fire service leaders in Horry County Fire Rescue for four years, growing into a trusted partnership rooted in respect and responsiveness to support firefighter safety.
Strengthening the value chain, Milliken and Fire-Dex have maintained a decade of strategic
collaboration that delivers innovation and advancement through U.S. research and
manufacturing.
Horry County encompasses 1,255 square miles, including the City of Myrtle Beach, one of
America’s largest tourist destinations. There are 40 Horry County Fire Rescue Stations, and in
2024, firefighters responded to 83,208 emergencies.
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ABOUT MILLIKEN
Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science
delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable
innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its
customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with
applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company
harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for
generations.
ABOUT FIRE-DEX
Fire-Dex is a family-owned, global leader in innovative PPE solutions for first responders and
the fastest-growing manufacturer in the industry. Committed to the mission to “Serve Those
Who Serve,” Fire-Dex has spent over 40 years focused on the head-to-toe protection of
firefighters, offering turnout gear, gloves, boots, alternative PPE and more. Along with its
sister company Gear Wash, which specializes in PPE care and maintenance, Fire-Dex provides
trusted expertise to support the full lifecycle of protective gear. With a legacy of inventive
thinking and state-of-the-art manufacturing, Fire-Dex continues to set new standards in
safety, durability and innovation for first responders around the world. To learn more, visit
www.firedex.com.
