Central Ohio fire department extinguishes 'forever chemicals'

ASHVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – The Harrison Township Fire Department in Pickaway County hosted a demonstration highlighting a non-traditional firefighting foam.

The traditional foam used by many fire departments often exposes firefighters to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) known as harmful “forever chemicals." The product used Monday was “Soyfoam” which is made from 100 percent soy-based solution.

“It doesn't have any of the forever chemicals like that traditional firefighting foam,” said Steve Reinhard, former chairman of the United Soybean Board.

The foam was used to put out simulated wood and car fires. It is biodegradable, non-toxic and safer for first responders. The product was also made in collaboration with local farmers.

“We can replace some bad things with a good thing here, that's again environmentally friendly,” Reinhard said. “It's one of those products where, you know, firefighters can even use this product now for training, which before we weren't even really able to use the traditional firefighting foam for training because of the environmental concerns with it."

Reinhard notes various fire departments across the country have adopted this technology and he hopes OHio Gov. DeWine will see that the “Soyfoam” product can be used to help his initiative, Destroy Toxic Firefighting Foam.

"We just want to continue to make sure that we can provide solutions to this particular issue of firefighting and then we can also provide a good opportunity for more environmentally friendly products," Reinhard said.