U.S. Senator Boozman Meets with Firefighters on Potential OSHA Rules

Last week, U.S. Senator John Boozman, Republican of Arkansas, met with volunteer firefighters to hear their thoughts on OSHA’s latest proposal to modernize requirements for emergency responders, according to Resident News Network.

In an interview with Arkies in the Beltway, Boozman said the sessions made him realize how difficult OSHA regulations would be for local fire departments.

“If you have a $15,000 or $20,000 raise and your budget is only $75,000, that’s real money,” Boozman said.

Boozman, through the Senate Appropriations Committee, requested a hearing session before the proposal could become law.

According to the OSHA websiteThe updated regulations would require higher levels of training and equipment for firefighters. The department said the regulations had not been updated since 1980 and that was the reason for the updated regulations.

According to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, of the 1,003 fire departments in Arkansas, 28 are fully staffed and employees are receiving full pay.