Firefighters: personal protective equipment.

Assembly Member Gallagher's proposal to modify California's firefighter equipment regulations would establish a 15-year minimum replacement interval for personal protective equipment (PPE) in smaller fire districts, while maintaining safety-based exceptions. The measure applies specifically to districts serving populations under 40,000, those primarily staffed by volunteers, or those operating with annual budgets below $200,000.

Under the proposed changes, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board could only mandate more frequent PPE replacements in these districts if the equipment becomes unsafe through wear and tear, poses an immediate safety hazard, or contains hazardous materials like perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This provision would operate within the existing framework requiring the board to review National Fire Protection Association standards every five years and consider updates to state safety orders.

The measure maintains the board's authority to conduct comprehensive reviews of protective equipment standards while creating distinct parameters for smaller districts. These districts would retain their obligation to ensure equipment safety through regular inspections and compliance with applicable safety standards, even as the mandatory replacement schedule extends to 15 years.