Proposed OSHA standards could hurt local fire departments

HIGH COUNTRY — Proposed updates to OSHA standards for fire departments and emergency services agencies could hurt local agencies.

According to North Carolina Department of Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, the new proposal would replace the current fire brigade standard and broaden “the scope of entities covered beyond firefighting service to include entities that provide technical research, rescue, and emergency medical services.”

Watauga County Fire Commission Chair and Deep Gap Fire Chief Seth Norris said that while he can’t know for certain what would happen if these proposals went through, it seems “inevitable” that departments could close if trends don’t change.

“I can’t say that with certainty, but the increase in unfunded mandates and government requirements, combined with less volunteerism, is making it difficult to operate and will ultimately result in volunteer departments closing in our country,” Norris said. “I hope it doesn’t happen here, but it seems inevitable if these trends don’t change.”

According to a letter from Norris and the Fire Commission to Rep. Virginia Foxx asking to extend the public comment period by 90 days, which OSHA granted, Norris stated that they agreed with firefighter safety and everything that can be done to improve it; however, the letter stated “we feel the financial and time-consuming changes in the standard could actually have negative impacts on the fire service organizations and could actually decrease the already struggling number of firefighters and may force many to leave the service.”

Twenty-two NFPA standards are now included in the proposed OSHA standard by reference. There are another 14 NFPA standards that are included in part.

“The bottom line is these changes would have major implications for every department, officer, and firefighter in the United States, particularly in your district where the majority rely on already limited resources,” the letter stated.

Neighboring fire commissions are also against the new regulations, including Avery County.

“The Avery County Firefighters Association feel that while OSHA standards are an important aspect of health and safety programs for the state of North Carolina, mandatory health screening requirements would further burden volunteer fire departments and would continue to decrease the numbers of volunteer firefighters,” the Association posted on the public comment section of the proposed rule. “The Avery County Firefighters Association is for an exemption to volunteer firefighters to the yearly physical requirements outlined in this proposal.”

In Ashe County, a public comment on the proposed regulation from the West Jefferson Fire Department chief stated that the “rule will have a negative impact on the fire service in my state and across the country if it is promulgated as it is currently written.”

According to the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, the “proposed updated standard would issue hundreds of new requirements that may be very burdensome, and in many cases impossible, for some, especially smaller and volunteer fire departments to comply with.”

The proposed standard can be found at tinyurl.com/5n767m5d.

The Federal Register is accepting comments until July 22. Comments can be submitted at tinyurl.com/5n767m5d.