Lawmakers, officials continue push for OSHA to revisit proposed changes to volunteer and career firefighter regulations

MARCY- Elected officials and local emergency responders gathered for a press conference Wednesday to continue the push for OSHA to consider revisiting its proposed regulation overhaul for volunteer and career firefighters.

As previously covered, OSHA has proposed updating and expanding existing regulations for the safety and health of firefighters and other first responders, including emergency medical service providers and technical search and rescue workers.

However, organizations such as the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and firefighters across the state and nation have expressed concerns that this change will impose significant additional administrative and operational requirements on volunteer fire departments and make it more difficult for them to recruit and retain members and provide essential fire protection.

“I appreciate OSHA’s efforts to protect the health, safety and well-being of firefighters and first responders,” said Sen. Griffo, who has submitted comments on the proposed change to OSHA and area federal representatives.

“However, I believe that this change will create new challenges or exacerbate existing ones for fire departments that are already struggling and will weaken fire protection in New York and across the nation. While I recognize that the safety of first responders is paramount, I am hopeful that OSHA will reconsider its proposal.”

“I commend Senator Griffo for holding a press conference on the proposed OSHA regulations,” said Assemblyman Blankenbush.

“While the proposed OSHA regulations were created to support fire departments, the unseen effects would be catastrophic to the volunteer fire departments of Assembly District 117. Most of the fire departments in our district consist entirely of volunteers and lack the economic capabilities of largely funded departments that exist in more urban areas. This lack of funding for our fire departments would ultimately lead to closures across the district. We recently experienced a multitude of storms across our counties, and without the actions of our volunteer firefighters, the devastation would have been exponentially worse. These new OSHA regulations would have left us without our firefighters. This is something I cannot support.”

“While I understand the importance of ensuring the safety and effectiveness of our fire departments, I share the concerns raised by Sen. Griffo and firefighters across the state regarding the proposed changes to the Fire Brigade Emergency Response Standard,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.

“These changes could place significant additional burdens on volunteer and combination departments, which already face challenges in recruitment and retention. I urge OSHA to carefully consider the potential impact on these vital services and work toward a solution that balances safety with the practical realities of our fire departments.”

To help address challenges facing fire departments in the state, Sen. Griffo has introduced a bill – called the “Public Safety Protection Act” – that would provide police and fire departments with access to $300 million in grant funding to help with recruitment and retention efforts and purchasing equipment.

The funding would be available over a three-year period. Police and fire departments would be eligible to apply for $100 million each year. That amount would be split equally ($50 million) between law enforcement and firefighting agencies.

Image via the office of New York State Senator Joe Griffo.