Local fire departments are raising concerns over plans by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to update some of its rules and regulations that haven’t been changed since the 1980s. New York Assemblyman Billy Jones was joined this past week by several Fire Chiefs and First Responders from across the North Country who say those Emergency Response Rule changes could negatively impact volunteer fire and EMS services.
OSHA is proposing changes to its rules regarding when fire departments will be required to buy new fire trucks and other equipment, as well as additional training for firefighters and EMS crews.
While Assemblyman Jones says fire departments fully support training and safety programs, he says OSHA needs to do more to accommodate smaller, volunteer departments. OSHA’s comment period for the proposed changes ends on Monday, July 22nd.
Read OSHA Proposed Rule Changes/Send Comments to OSHA here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/05/2023-28203/emergency-response-standard