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Delaware County Board opposes proposed OSHA fire brigade standard, urges moratorium and blue-ribbon review
Summary
The board adopted a resolution opposing the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed amendments to OSHA's fire brigade standard (29 CFR 1910.156), citing compliance costs and recruitment impacts for volunteer fire departments and calling for a moratorium and a blue-ribbon commission.
The Delaware County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a resolution opposing the blanket adoption of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed amendments to the fire brigades standard, 29 CFR 1910.156.
County supervisors passed the resolution asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to accept a pause on the rules and to support creation of a blue-ribbon commission — including representatives of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York (AFDSNY) — to review the proposed standards and advise on practical compliance measures.
Penny read the resolution aloud for the board. The resolution said the proposed changes would require updates to personal protective equipment, medical and physical requirements for first responders, and additional training. It said Delaware County’s predominantly volunteer fire departments and county-funded emergency services agency are already understaffed and that costs associated with new equipment and training “exceed current financial capacity of local fire districts.”
Steve, a county staff member who answered supervisors’ questions during debate, explained the county’s concerns about administrative burden and the rule’s incorporation of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. “Just the administrative costs alone … would be financially crippling the fire districts in this county,” Steve said. He said the new OSHA approach references roughly 21 NFPA standards within the fire brigade rule, which would effectively make those NFPA standards mandatory where OSHA applies.
Steve also noted that the rule would affect private companies’ emergency response programs, potentially increasing costs for corporate response teams as well as volunteer departments.
Board members said the resolution reflects local worries about recruitment and retention if the requirements take effect without state or federal funding to offset costs. The board carried the resolution by voice vote; supervisors instructed that copies be sent to Gov. Hochul, Sen. Pamela Helming, and other state and federal officials referenced in the resolution.
The transcript records lengthy discussion of the potential financial impacts, the role of NFPA standards in the proposed rule, and outreach efforts that county officials said they are supporting to seek a moratorium and further review.
