On Monday, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) stood alongside local volunteer firefighters in Ontario County, urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to revise its proposed regulations. Earlier this year, OSHA introduced 22 new safety standards, including mandatory facility upgrades and heightened training requirements, to replace the current Fire Brigades Standard. These changes would impose significant financial and operational strains on volunteer fire departments across New York, threatening their ability to continue providing essential services to their communities.
Tenney was joined by many local officials, including New York State Senator Pamela Helming and Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan. Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, Town of Canandaigua Supervisor Jared Simpson, and Town of Farmington Supervisor Peter Ingalsbe were unable to attend the event but provided written statements in support of the cause.
“Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of our community, and they need the proper resources and to carry out their duties safely and effectively,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “It is critical that the specific needs of rural and local fire departments are considered when new regulations are introduced, particularly when those regulations could threaten our emergency services. I remain committed to standing with the volunteer firefighters of NY-24 in urging OSHA to reconsider these burdensome rules, to allow our courageous firefighters to continue serving our communities.”
“Emergency service providers throughout New York State are struggling to recruit and retain volunteers and paid staff. Many also face significant fiscal challenges, especially in rural areas. The proposed OSHA rule changes would only exacerbate these issues by placing costly mandates on emergency service providers and creating more stringent requirements for volunteers and staff. While it is essential that we take steps to protect the health and safety of emergency personnel, we must do so in a way that will not inhibit them from providing life-saving services to our communities. That is why I am calling on OSHA to reject the proposed rule changes and pursue other alternatives to ensure the health and safety of emergency service providers,” said Senator Pamela Helming.
“The new regulations proposed by OSHA would absolutely destroy volunteer fire departments across New York State and stick taxpayers with the bill. Volunteer fire departments save New Lork taxpayers $4.7 billion every year while ensuring that communities of all sizes have uninterrupted access to lifesaving emergency services. These changes would add bureaucratic red-tape, shorten the lifespan of equipment, and double the required training hours for volunteers. I would like to thank Congresswoman Tenney for her advocacy on behalf of volunteer fire departments and the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe,” said Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan.
“Here in New York State, our first responders play an important part of our lives each day. With these proposed changes I have no doubt that this will play havoc in many of our upstate communities that rely on our volunteer Fire Departments. We are already struggling with membership, as many of our volunteers are working two jobs to take care of their families today. OSHA needs to slow the process down, talk with our small community departments and then bring something that is doable and sustainable for the long term back to the table. I want to thank Congresswoman Tenney for bringing this to the forefront for our districts here locally,” said Assemblyman Brian Manktelow.
“Our volunteer fire departments are struggling. With the number of volunteers dwindling, the departments are already concerned about recruitment. Most don’t have enough money to procure or replace necessary equipment, emergency response vehicles, or aging facilities. Budgets are already strapped and these well-meaning but unnecessary changes will only make the situation worse. I join Congresswoman Tenney in opposing these expensive regulations,” said Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes.
“I would like to thank Representative Tenney for advocating for our first responders. Our volunteer fire departments already struggle to find and retain volunteers. Safety should always take first priority. However, new mandates should be fully funded, or they will crush our small volunteer departments that are the backbone of many of our communities,” said Town of Canandaigua Supervisor Jared Simpson.
“The Town of Farmington supports three volunteer fire departments and the Victor Farmington Ambulance organization. Putting more regulations on EMS organizations will only add to the complex ability for them to survive. This is not the type of “HELP” that they need,” said Town of Farmington Supervisor Peter Ingalsbe.
More information can be found on OSHA’s website.
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