This proposal went silent, but I would not be surprised if it surfaced again, we will be on the lookout for it.
OSHA has proposed a revision to 1910.156 Fire Brigade Standard Attached) that would have significant impacts on how we do business as NYS Fire Districts. This is not a new initiative (been around since at least 2016) but it recently came off the sidelines and is trucking full speed ahead. We encourage you to read this proposed document and send comments that can be shared with the committee next Tuesday (10/19/21). They have invited several Fire Officials across the country to take part in 9 hours of hearings next week. Dave Denniston is currently at the NVFC board meeting and they have three representatives here that are preparing the same comments. We need solid data on how this would effect your fire district. Looking for data on additional costs, strain on manpower and other facts that can be presented at the hearings on behalf of NYS Fire Districts. This committee has only 60 days to present the findings and is moving quickly.
Please send Dave Denniston at ([email protected]) any solid concerns and data that hecan present. Comments like “this is crazy”, “it will never happen”, “it would destroy the fire service” will not hold any water with the committee. NVFC is trying to present that this could have a “significant impact” on smaller rural fire departments. It will obviously have significant impacts on any size department, but our chance to be heard here is under this “Small Entity Organization” The SBA is the group responsible to research and present written findings in less than 60 days now.
There may be other opportunities to be heard, you will be kept posted on when and where they may happen. Thanks for the quick turnaround on this.
DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED OSHA FIRE BRIGADE STANDARD
QUICK SYNOPSIS OF WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS
SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY REVIEW PANEL – SMALL ENTITY REPRESENTATIVES