The National League of Cities (NLC), the League’s federal partner, is seeking municipal input regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) rule proposal seeking to replace the decades-old Fire Brigades standard, extending protections to a broader group of emergency service workers, including those in emergency medical services and technical search and rescue.
The proposed rules were published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2024
NLC is preparing to submit comments to OSHA, emphasizing municipalities’ concerns and suggestions. Specifically, they are looking to highlight that the proposed rule could impose unfunded mandates, leading to a considerable increase in local spending on fire and emergency services. Moreover, the rule's implications for volunteer workers and their potential reclassification as employees could introduce substantial administrative and financial challenges, especially in areas governed by federal OSHA regulations.
Additional areas of concern include the broad implications for search and rescue services, the potential requirement for upgrading living areas for emergency responders, and the proposed medical evaluations, surveillance, and fitness requirements. These aspects raise questions about the rule's feasibility and impact on the capability of emergency services, especially given the varying needs and capacities of different locales.
The deadline for public comments is June 21, 2024. Comments can be submitted electronically via the Federal eRulemaking portal at regulations.gov, ensuring your feedback is part of the public record. Please include the municipality's name and the docket number, Docket No. OSHA-2007-0073, with your submission. NLC is eager to include feedback from local elected officials to ensure their submission reflects a broad range of viewpoints on the proposed regulations. Your input is crucial in shaping the collective response and in navigating the financial and administrative challenges of compliance. Please share your thoughts and any concerns with Yucel Ors at ors@nlc.org and copy Paul Penna at the League at ppenna@njlm.org.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.