Local firefighters concerned about proposed OSHA regulations

HERKIMER, N.Y. – Several dozen firefighters gathered at Herkimer College on Monday evening to learn more about potential changes in federal regulations that could impact their recruiting efforts.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has unveiled its first change to fire regulations since 1980.

Work on new regulations has been ongoing since 2007.

Dave Denniston, who advocates for firefighters across the state through the New York State Association of Fire Districts, talked to the audience about hundreds of pages of new regulations that could be implemented.

Denniston called the proposal “very convoluted” and said it required a “one size fits all approach” that could harm volunteer fire departments.

The regulations would require extended working hours, training and formalities.

“I think the bottom line is this is really going to cause liability issues for all of us,” Denniston said. “As an organizational officer or fire commissioner, whatever role you play, I think this will be a checklist that lawyers will consider when something goes wrong and ask, ‘Did you do this, this, this, and this ?’ And if not, write a check.

On Monday evening, several dozen firefighters gathered at Herkimer College to learn more about potential changes in federal regulations that could impact their recruiting efforts.

The deadline for public submission of comments on the regulations has been extended until July 22.