Commission warns volunteers: expired physicals, level-4 restrictions may end workers' compensation coverage at scenes

Oconee County staff told the Fire Service Advisory Commission that volunteers with expired physical examinations or those classified as level 4 should not be responding to emergency scenes and that workers' compensation coverage for those individuals will cease for on-scene responses beginning July 1, unless their physicals are updated.

A staff member said department chiefs received a letter from a county official (Miss Brock) notifying them of the requirement and that the county will stop paying workers' compensation for responders who do not maintain current physicals. The staff member noted there are rostered volunteers who have not had a physical since 2017–2018 and that the county is paying comp for rostered members even if they are not actively participating.

Commission members discussed the liability and operational implications, stressing that a volunteer who has a level-4 medical restriction may still perform administrative duties and remain covered for non-emergency, on-site incidents but would not be covered by workers' compensation if they respond to emergency scenes contrary to the restriction. “If you are a level 4, that’s fine. You just don't need to be responding to emergency scenes,” a staff member said. Another member noted the county had volunteers who refused recommended specialist follow-up while continuing to respond, creating a liability risk.

Staff said they will notify individual members with expired physicals and those classified level 4 so members understand they should not respond to scenes and to encourage timely updated exams. The commission did not take a formal vote; the matter was presented as a personnel and liability update with an effective compliance date provided by staff.