The Professional Fire Fighters of Alabama has filed suit against the City of Huntsville and Fire Chief Howard McFarlen, alleging the city violated the Alabama Open Records Act by refusing to release records concerning possible contamination of breathing air used by Huntsville firefighters. The suit follows complaints from dozens of firefighters who reported respiratory problems after using SCBA during a department physical fitness evaluation in August.

The complaint was filed October 20, 2026, in Madison County Circuit Court. A copy is not available, so reporting is based on coverage by local news media outlets. The PFFA alleges that more than 50 members of Huntsville Fire & Rescue experienced coughing, throat irritation, chest discomfort, and other respiratory symptoms after participating in a physical fitness incentive test conducted August 3-7, 2026. Some firefighters reportedly continue to experience symptoms.

Local media reports the complaint alleges a June 15, 2026, air-quality test conducted by an independent laboratory identified excessive oil and particulate contamination in a portable cascade system used to fill SCBA cylinders. The test reportedly measured oil contamination at 2.27 milligrams per cubic meter, exceeding the NFPA standard of 2.0 milligrams per cubic meter.

The cascade trailer was removed from service on June 24 following a ruptured airline and returned to service on July 2. A subsequent air-quality test conducted June 30 produced passing results, although those results were not received until July 8.

The PFFA also alleges that SCBA cylinders on frontline apparatus were refilled using cascade systems at Stations 6 and 8 on August 7-8 without testing the air being removed from the cylinders. The complaint further claims that some cascade storage cylinders had not undergone required hydrostatic testing since 2013. Subsequent inspections reportedly identified excessive internal rust in cylinders at Station 6, resulting in their removal from service, while cylinders with rust at Station 8 were returned to service.

The firefighters’ concerns prompted numerous grievances against Chief McFarlen. According to the union, more than 80 firefighters filed grievances, although the city has acknowledged receiving and denying 69. The firefighters sought additional testing, cleaning of equipment, tracking of SCBA cylinders, and medical evaluations.

The city maintains that no causal connection has been established between the June air-quality test and the respiratory symptoms reported in August. It also points out that the June test result, although exceeding the NFPA standard, was below OSHA’s limit of 5.0 milligrams per cubic meter. The city cited subsequent passing air-quality tests and the untimeliness of the grievances among its reasons for denying them.

An October 2 department investigation report concluded that no specific root cause had been identified for the reported symptoms.

The lawsuit itself concerns the city’s refusal to provide records requested by the union, rather than claims for damages arising from the alleged contamination.

According to the complaint, PFFA President Captain David Harer submitted 17 public records requests between September 25 and October 8 seeking air-quality testing reports, maintenance records, cylinder filling logs, corrective action documentation, employee notifications, and health assessments.

The PFFA alleges that the city denied 16 of the requests on October 2, characterizing them as a bulk records request that was overly broad and unduly burdensome. The complaint contends that the city’s refusal violated the Alabama Open Records Act. The PFFA is asking the court to declare that the city violated the statute, order production of the requested records, and award attorneys’ fees and costs.