Lake Superior College Pauses Firefighter Training Program Due to PFAS Contamination
Lake Superior College has indefinitely paused its firefighter training program in Duluth due to PFAS contamination exceeding state and federal guidelines, causing the Duluth Fire Department and other regional firefighters to lose access to their local training facility.
Duluth Superior, MN, October 12, 2026 — Lake Superior College in Duluth has indefinitely paused its firefighter training program.
The decision comes as a result of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination found at the training facility. The levels of PFAS have been reported to exceed both state and federal guidelines.
This pause means that the Duluth Fire Department and other regional firefighting units are now without access to their local training grounds. The facility is a key resource for essential drills and ongoing professional development for these emergency responders.
The specific timeline for the resumption of the program has not been determined, with the college citing the ongoing nature of the contamination issue as the reason for the indefinite pause.
Information regarding the source or extent of the PFAS contamination, as well as remediation plans or timelines, was not immediately available. The contractor’s name was not provided.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. They are found in a wide range of everyday items, including stain-resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, and firefighting foam. Due to their persistence in the environment and potential health effects, regulatory bodies are increasingly scrutinizing their presence.
Story summarized from the original created by Mary Skorich on www.wdio.com, see more information here.
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