Indiana congressmen ask OSHA to extend comment period on proposed fire department rules – InkFreeNews.com

We are deeply concerned about the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation to replace the current Fire Brigades Standard and how it will impact first responders in Indiana. The proposed Emergency Response standard would impose extensive new regulations on firefighters and EMS responders throughout Indiana. We are concerned that these new requirements could lead to closures that will jeopardize public safety and deprive many rural communities of essential emergency services.

Indiana’s volunteer departments are not immune to the financial and staffing constraints that the rest of the industry faces. Most of these departments operate on small budgets or rely on self-funded efforts. Volunteers volunteer their time and resources to provide communities with access to emergency services, often serving as the only source of assistance for miles around. Implementing these new requirements, such as additional training and physical fitness standards, increased written emergency response plans, increased vulnerability assessments, additional medical screenings, and mental health services, while well-intentioned, would pose significant challenges to our small and volunteer fire departments that lack the economic resources to meet the standards you propose.

During OSHA’s Small Business Advisory Review (SBAR) panel in fall 2021, stakeholders highlighted the economic feasibility issues facing smaller, particularly volunteer, fire departments. SBAR recommended waivers for volunteer fire departments from certain aspects of the standard and suggested identifying areas where financial and logistical burdens could be reduced. However, this proposed standard does not align with SBAR’s recommendations, which is a concern for the local public safety officials we represent.

I am writing to you to request an extension of the comment period to obtain more information from small and volunteer firefighters, which will allow for a more thorough understanding of the potential negative impacts of the standard on the Indiana fire service. We believe that the proposed “Emergency Standard” could jeopardize the safety of our departments and communities across Indiana. Therefore, OSHA should reconsider the unique situation of departments staffed by volunteers and ensure that they can continue to operate and provide life-saving services.

Kind regards,