GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Local officials are continuing to express concerns over proposed major changes to regulations for fire departments. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking to update the Fire Brigades Standard, which dates to 1980 “and has not been updated with subsequent improvements in personal protective clothing and equipment or advances in safety and health practices.”
The OSHA proposal covers more than 600 pages and dozens of topics ranging from vehicle maintenance to firefighters’ fitness requirement. OSHA’s purpose with the changes is to protect emergency responders from the dangers of their job, both physical and mental.
Several municipalities have been openly concerned about what may occur if the proposal becomes reality, including Deerfield Selectboard Chair Carolyn Shores Ness.
The Fire Chief in the City of Greenfield–Robert Strahan–said if the new regulations go through, it would potentially create an untenable situation for his department and the city.
“As presented as of now, I don’t see any department around us, or most departments in the country, being able to comply with the changes they are proposing,” said Strahan. “It’s just not financially sustainable.”
OSHA recently extended the public comment period by 45 days, to June 21. At some point, the agency will hold a public hearing on the changes. The date of that hearing will not be set until after the public comment period has expired.