Tenney Backs CNY Firefighters on Concerns Over OSHA Regulations

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney on Wednesday joined several Central New York elected leaders and numerous local volunteer firefighters in Oswego County to urge the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reconsider expanding regulations that threaten the closure of volunteer fire departments across New York.

In February, OSHA introduced a new safety and health standard to replace the Fire Brigades Standard, proposing 22 additional rules for all fire departments. These rules include mandatory facility upgrades and increased training requirements. This stringent proposal would also apply to volunteer fire departments in New York, despite the significant financial and operational limitations they currently face.

Tenney is meeting with volunteer fire departments throughout New York’s 24th District and has held events in Niagara County, Seneca County, and now Oswego County to discuss these regulations. She says she is dedicated to working to ensure that our rural and volunteer fire departments have the resources they need.

“OSHA’s proposed regulations threaten the closure of many volunteer fire departments across our state, including the ones we rely on in NY-24,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “These closures would leave our communities vulnerable, slowing response time for emergency services and increasing the risk to lives and property. Thank you to the local volunteer firefighters in Oswego County who joined me today to advocate against these regulations. I remain committed to ensuring our first responders have the resources they need to keep us safe.”

“Thank you to Congresswoman Tenney for her efforts in ensuring our volunteer fire departments have the necessary resources to keep themselves and our community safe. It is crucial that local fire departments in our rural communities are considered when new regulations are proposed, threatening our emergency services. I am committed to working with Rep. Tenney to ensure OSHA reconsiders these burdensome regulations and that our firefighters have the resources they need,” said the Chairman of the Oswego County Legislature, James Weatherup.