Falconer firefighters are pictured at the scene of a fire in October. Volunteer fire departments have raised concerns about new federal OSHA standards that they say could make it easier to recruit and retain members.

Both across the state and locally, concerns have been raised by volunteer fire departments about new regulations proposed by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for first responders.

OSHA’s proposed new regulations, which would replace the 43-year-old fire service standard, establish nearly two dozen new rules for fire departments across the country, according to the New York State Firefighters’ Association. the country. In their current form, these regulations could have profound impacts on New York State’s volunteer fire departments.

Additionally, FASNY stated in a press release that OSHA has not made changes to these regulations in 40 years and is now proposing major changes with limited, if any, consideration of the impacts that these new mandates will have on local volunteer fire departments, especially small and large ones. rural fire departments in upstate New York. If OSHA is successful in advancing these new regulations in their current form, the new requirements would create significant administrative and operational difficulties and could ultimately compromise public safety, while increasing fire protection costs. Currently, volunteer firefighters’ time saves the country more than $46.9 billion annually. In New York State alone, volunteers save residents nearly $4 billion annually in additional property taxes by donating their time and effort.

Rob Galbraith, representative of Ripley Hose Company No. 1, said the proposed rules and regulations have been in the works since 2007 and that a group of experts was convened during the creation process to help develop the language of the rule , but many were underrepresented.

“They convened a group of ‘experts’ to help develop the language of the proposed rule,” Galbraith said. “Unfortunately, those most affected by this situation, namely our country’s volunteer emergency service personnel, were significantly under-represented in the debates. The proposed rule was published in late December 2023 for industry comment.

The initial comment period was discontinued in June 2024, but was extended until July due to numerous comments from the state’s volunteer emergency response organizations. On OSHA’s website for the new regulations, Galbraith said there were about 4,156 comments from numerous departments and organizations, the vast majority against the new regulations.

The new regulations include a significant amount of administrative work that Galbraith said would be counterproductive for volunteer fire departments. Also included are changes to required medical exams, an expected significant increase in the department’s budget, concerns about confidential health records and other vague terms that Galbraith said are a cause for concern, and more.

“Volunteer firefighters and EMS responders make up approximately 679,000, or 65 percent of the nation’s emergency responders,” Galbraith said. “This unfunded mandate adds an enormous burden. It is not easier to recruit volunteer firefighters.

A lot more paperwork will be required with the new regulations, which Galbraith said would require Ripley’s department to hire a whole new person to handle it. Another concern is the aging population of volunteer firefighters, especially since the new regulations will require volunteer firefighters and regular or full-time firefighters to pass the same medical exam.

“It’s basically a one-size-fits-all solution, although they say it’s not,” Galbraith said. “Volunteers have other jobs and, with work and family balance, some may not be able to pass the same medical exam as regular firefighters. If they pass the required normal physical exam, they should be fine.

The settlement also includes a requirement to remove some equipment potentially prematurely, which Galbraith said will represent another significant cost to volunteer fire departments. One of the biggest problems, however, is the general language.

“We are asking for clear, concise language,” Galbraith said. “There is a lot of ambiguity. We would like more clarity. The devil is in the details and we need more details or I suggested a model. This could reach a tipping point where volunteer fire departments have too much work to do. Expecting a rural department to comply with the same rules as urban departments or towns is cumbersome and unrealistic. It is not clear that rural departments were taken into account.”

Galbraith said the regulations raise other concerns, such as the closure of some departments and, in places like Ripley, the closest first responders being up to 60 miles from where the call is coming from. Ripley Hose Company No. 1 was one of several people to send letters to OSHA, asking it to reconsider the regulations, and in mid-October, OSHA issued a statement saying it might reconsider changes for volunteer fire departments. Galbraith said he thinks OSHA hasn’t taken everything into consideration when it comes to volunteer services, but he credited them for realizing it now and listening to concerns people.

A public hearing is scheduled for the settlement starting Nov. 12, and Galbraith is one of several people who have registered to speak at the hearings — including private citizens and fire service or emergency organizations. emergency, not only in New York but across the country – expected to last two to four weeks.

Noel Guttman, director of emergency services and fire coordinator for Chautauqua County, said that while many regulations are bad, not all of them are.

“Many of these regulations are good and emphasize safety, but some make it difficult for volunteer firefighters to comply,” Guttman said. “There was an open comment period and I think they didn’t expect such a response and such resistance. They seem to be listening and saying that they could exempt volunteer firefighters from the new regulations, but that may not be fair either since some regulations are good, but it will be difficult for any volunteer fire department to comply 100%. .”

Guttman said while some regulations are good, many go too far. He said the next public hearings could take up to four weeks, but that’s also a good thing.

“There has been an overwhelming response and there is no quick fix, but fortunately OSHA is listening and seems to be focused on making sure everything is done right,” Guttman said.

Galbraith said following normal rulemaking protocol, public hearings and comment period is the final step and the original plan was for the rule to be promulgated in late 2024.

“We just hope they recognize that volunteer emergency services should be held to a different standard and take into account the nature of the work versus professional services,” Galbraith said. “They are reconsidering their decision, but we will continue to pressure them and express our concerns. »