U.S. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, District 4 | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, District 4 | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON — Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today led a bipartisan letter urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to extend the public comment period for its newly proposed Emergency Response Standard. The Representatives aim to protect fire departments from expanded regulations that could lead to the closure of volunteer departments nationwide.
The letter, addressed to Assistant Secretary of Labor Douglas Parker, follows OSHA’s February publication of a new safety and health standard intended to replace the existing Fire Brigades Standard. The proposal includes 22 additional rules for all fire departments, such as mandatory facility upgrades and increased training requirements for firefighters. D’Esposito and Golden were joined by 40 other Representatives from both parties, along with volunteer and professional emergency responders who have expressed concerns about OSHA’s recognition of financial and personnel limitations faced by many departments.
“While we appreciate OSHA’s efforts to improve the safety of our first responders, we have heard from volunteer fire departments and first responders in our districts that the new requirements proposed in the rule would result in their closure, undermining public safety and leaving many communities without essential emergency services,” said the Representatives. “As drafted, this rule fails to recognize the significant financial and personnel limitations that are unique to volunteer departments that serve our communities.”
“These concerns were conveyed to OSHA by stakeholders participating in the agency’s Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel in the fall of 2021,” they continued. “That is why the SBAR recommends that OSHA consider exempting these entities from some or all parts of the standard as well as identify additional areas where financial and logistical burdens can be reduced. We do not believe the proposed standard as written adheres to SBAR’s recommendation and we urge OSHA to revisit their feedback to ensure the standard does not damage emergency response capabilities in our districts.”
Firefighter groups have praised this bipartisan effort:
Retired Chief William St. Michel, Executive Director of the Maine Fire Chiefs' Association: “We appreciate OSHA’s support for improving the health and safety of our first responders. However, as drafted we believe the new ‘Emergency Standard’ would make both our departments and our communities less safe. Maine departments are staffed by a mix of volunteer, on-call, and full-time firefighters. OSHA’s stated goal is to improve safety standards for those on the front lines and the public they so valiantly protect. We fear that, without direct input from emergency managers —and without adequate phase-in time needed to implement these rules— it will result in a product contrary to those goals. The Maine Fire Chiefs' Association thanks Congressman Golden for his advocacy on behalf of the First Responder community.”
Mike Scott, President of Professional Firefighters of Maine: “The Professional Fire Fighters of Maine are the voice of firefighters, EMS providers, and dispatch personnel on the front lines in our state. We thank Congressman Golden for ensuring that voice is heard by OSHA regulators.”
Steve Hirsch, Chair of National Volunteer Fire Council: “While National Volunteer Fire Council appreciates OSHA’s efforts to improve firefighter safety via their proposed Emergency Response Standard, resources for volunteer departments to comply with this standard do not exist which could cause many departments to close. I applaud Reps. Golden and D’Esposito on their leadership requesting that OSHA re-examine its proposed Emergency Response Standard finding a more feasible path forward ensuring mutual goal improving firefighter safety.”
A copy of the letter can be found below:
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