Firefighters Share Concerns About Proposed OSHA Safety Rule Changes

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont firefighters say the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is putting pressure on fire departments across the state.

This comes after the federal agency proposed sweeping changes to departments across the country, changing what it calls “emergency response standards” for firefighters.

Bristol Fire Chief Brett LaRose says his department’s budget is already tight.

“It’s about safety, it’s about health, it’s about having quality equipment, it’s about protecting firefighters. But there’s a significant price tag that comes with these new regulations,” LaRose said.

He worries the new rules could put his job and the entire Bristol Fire Department at risk.

Those emergency response standards haven’t been updated since the 1980s, and the federal agency has prepared a more than 600-page document outlining potential changes. It includes additional training, expensive twice-yearly physicals, additional staff and updated equipment.

Peeker Heffernan, president of the Vermont State Firefighters’ Association, says the proposed rules may not bode well for many small volunteer organizations in the state.

“The fire department will continue as it is. And if something goes wrong, OSHA will issue fines. That’s how I see it. Or the fire department will cease to exist. Most fire departments’ budgets will double at least,” Heffernan said.

The Vermont State Firefighters’ Association encourages every fire department in the state to review the regulations and submit comments on what they think might not be working. The comment period ends July 22.