Sen. Rose leads measure against proposed stricter OSHA firefighting requirements

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Could volunteer fire departments across the state face the risk of losing those who keep you safe? One Central Illinois lawmaker wants to make sure that doesn’t happen.

A proposal from OSHA looks to expand protections for first responders including firefighters, but it focuses on increasing training requirements, medical screenings for all first responders, and more inspections of emergency vehicles.

Departments warn that it could be too expensive to implement, and one Illinois lawmaker says it could put you at risk with fewer firefighters on the job.

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) initiated a resolution a couple months ago, with bipartisan support expressing the state of Illinois’ opposition to the proposed regulations as presented.

“There comes a point of overkill where the bureaucracy and administrative burden you’re putting on these departments will actually mean less firefighters,” Rose said. “Less protection on our streets. Less safety for the citizens of rural Americans who are in the role and more that I represent.”

The proposed changes by OSHA aren’t final yet.

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