Vorbeck Materials Named Gold Sponsor of the Congressional Fire Services Institute

Company Prepares to Bring Vorbeck O3™ to Market - the First PFAS-Free, UL 162-Listed Firefighting Foam to Beat Legacy AFFF Performance

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:14pm

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Vorbeck Materials today announced its Gold Sponsorship of the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and the 36th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, taking place March 18–19, 2026 in Washington, DC. The sponsorship comes as Vorbeck prepares to launch Vorbeck O3™, the first PFAS-free, UL 162-listed firefighting foam concentrate proven to deliver self-extinguishing burn-back protection that beats legacy AFFF performance standards.

Why it matters

With the U.S. Military's October 2026 deadline for transitioning away from PFAS-containing firefighting foams fast approaching, fire departments across the country are under mounting pressure to find PFAS-free alternatives that do not sacrifice performance. Vorbeck O3™ was built to answer that call, providing a breakthrough in firefighting foam technology that meets the new standards without compromising effectiveness.

The details

Vorbeck O3™ is engineered for emergency response to Class B fires involving flammable and combustible liquids. Third-party testing has validated its performance, including up to 30% faster extinguishment than competing, UL-listed fluorine-free foams, best-in-class burn-back protection, over 2x faster self-extinguishment than leading competitors, and exceptional vapor and re-ignition suppression. Vorbeck O3™ is also UL 162 Listed for both freshwater and saltwater use, with zero intentionally added PFAS or fluorine.

  • Vorbeck announced its Gold Sponsorship of the CFSI Annual Symposium and Dinner on March 16, 2026.
  • The 36th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner will take place on March 18-19, 2026 in Washington, DC.
  • The U.S. Military's deadline for transitioning away from PFAS-containing firefighting foams is set for October 2026.

The players

Vorbeck Materials

An American-owned and operated company with more than 20 years of experience developing advanced materials for defense and first-responder applications, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.

John Lettow

The CEO of Vorbeck Materials.

John Zour

A Battalion Chief with the Howard County Maryland Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)

A nonprofit, nonpartisan policy institute established in 1989 to educate members of Congress about the needs and challenges of the nation's fire and emergency services.

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What they’re saying

“For years, we have been solving the toughest materials challenges for the military and first responders, and Vorbeck O3™ is the result of that same relentless commitment to performance. Most PFAS-free foams can't match legacy AFFF - and firefighters feel that gap every time they're on the line. We've closed that gap, and CFSI is the right place to introduce Vorbeck O3™ to the leaders who need it most.”

— John Lettow, CEO, Vorbeck Materials

“I've used many different foams over the years. Their effectiveness seems to have been compromised in PFAS-free products. What Vorbeck O3™ does in a burn-back scenario is impressive, with a foam layer sealing back over the fuel and self-extinguishing. That's performance we haven't seen from fluorine-free products before, and it's exactly what our departments need to transition with confidence.”

— John Zour, Battalion Chief, Howard County Maryland Department of Fire and Rescue Services

What’s next

Fire chiefs and fire service leaders interested in learning more about Vorbeck O3™ or scheduling a meeting at CFSI 2026 are encouraged to reach out directly.

The takeaway

Vorbeck O3™ represents a breakthrough in firefighting foam technology, providing a PFAS-free solution that meets the new industry standards without compromising performance. As fire departments across the country face pressure to transition away from legacy AFFF foams, Vorbeck O3™ offers a viable alternative that can deliver the same level of protection and effectiveness.