Mark Duvall’s Post

OSHA has proposed to update its long-standing emergency response requirements, publishing a proposed rule which would replace the 40-year-old Fire Brigades Standard and make notable changes to some other standards. OSHA has extended the comment period until July 22, 2024. #TheEnvironmentalLawFirm #OSHA #EmergencyResponse

OSHA has proposed to update its long-standing emergency response requirements, publishing a proposed rule which would replace the 40-year-old Fire Brigades Standard and make notable changes to some other standards. OSHA has extended the comment period until July 22, 2024. #TheEnvironmentalLawFirm #OSHA #EmergencyResponse

OSHA has proposed to update its long-standing emergency response requirements, publishing a proposed rule which would replace the 40-year-old Fire Brigades Standard and make notable changes to some other standards. OSHA has extended the comment period until July 22, 2024. #TheEnvironmentalLawFirm #OSHA #EmergencyResponse

OSHA has proposed to update its long-standing emergency response requirements, publishing a proposed rule which would replace the 40-year-old Fire Brigades Standard and make notable changes to some other standards. OSHA has extended the comment period until July 22, 2024. #TheEnvironmentalLawFirm #OSHA #EmergencyResponse

OSHA has proposed to update its long-standing emergency response requirements, publishing a proposed rule which would replace the 40-year-old Fire Brigades Standard and make notable changes to some other standards. OSHA has extended the comment period until July 22, 2024. #TheEnvironmentalLawFirm #OSHA #EmergencyResponse

OSHA has proposed to update its long-standing emergency response requirements, publishing a proposed rule which would replace the 40-year-old Fire Brigades Standard and make notable changes to some other standards. OSHA has extended the comment period until July 22, 2024. #TheEnvironmentalLawFirm #OSHA #EmergencyResponse

OSHA has proposed to update its long-standing emergency response requirements, publishing a proposed rule which would replace the 40-year-old Fire Brigades Standard and make notable changes to some other standards. OSHA has extended the comment period until July 22, 2024. #TheEnvironmentalLawFirm #OSHA #EmergencyResponse

The current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Fire Brigades standard (1910.156) outlines the baseline requirements for fire brigades in workplaces and covers a variety of topics to include organization, training, equipment and operations, to ensure firefighting activities are safe in the workplace. The new proposed standard, which is titled Emergency Response, focuses on doing what OSHA was established to do: protect workers. If adopted, the new standard will advance regulation nearly 40 years and encompass new research and many consensus documents that focus on improving best practices and reporting of the real-world hazards that firefighters, EMS personnel and technical rescue members face each day. Some fear that the new technical standards may shut down many volunteer rescue teams. https://lnkd.in/eJBX-NU3

Instead of focusing on disagreements, let's consider the proposed changes to the OSHA Fire Brigade Standard in relation to time. Quick changes like training all fire department members as qualified firefighters and ensuring officers have necessary qualifications for prompt decision-making can enhance overall efficiency. The concern over costs for the updated OSHA Fire Brigades Standard is valid, considering it's an unfunded mandate. While investing in fire apparatus has become more expensive, finding solutions, such as seeking federal health programs or local arrangements, showcases adaptability within the industry. Advocating for changes that benefit the public is crucial. By demonstrating that these updates are essential, fire departments can secure necessary resources with legal support. Ultimately, these changes aim to improve public safety, support firefighters, and enhance department effectiveness. Communities that invest inadequately in their fire departments will feel the impacts of these changes. However, implementing these adjustments within a sustainable budget framework can lead to a stronger fire service, especially when supported by an educated public. In cases where rural or low-income areas struggle with funding, governmental intervention or supplementary resources should ensure essential services are maintained. Collaborative efforts can help bridge financial gaps and guarantee vital training and resources are accessible for all. #OSHA #OSHAFireBrigadesStandard #firefighting #riskmanagement #healthandsafety

If you haven't commented, attended one or many free webinars, or atleast glanced at the new rule please put it on your to-do list immediately. This is a seismic shift in the way many rural agencies conduct daily operations and will incorporate more than two dozen NFPA standards by reference and for those who are not in a budgeting role, NFPA = significantly higher spending requirements. Firehouse, NVFC, and ESIP all have great articles and webinars out there. This isn't a rule that you want to pass without reading.... THIS RULE ALSO PULLS IN EMS AND POLICE WITH AN FIRE/EMS BASED RESPONSE (MASS SHOTER, ETC.). EMS agencies the leadership training requirements of fire officer style training might come as a shock as I know of 0 EMS agencies not affiliated with a Fire Department that use Fire Officer 1/2/3/4 as their leadership training program. Taking off my private EMS/Rescue and Volunteer Fire Chief hat, I see so many great things about this standard that bring the fire service into the current century (no more 200+ years of tradition unimpeadeed by progress). Most of these programs I adopted while serving as fire chief. I would love everything about this regulation if there was an appropriation bill attached to it to fund the changes it mandates similar to the changes post 9/11. Please educate yourself/department, comment on OSHA's page, and leverage your national representatives as this bill as written is not practical for EMS or for rural volunteer departments struggling to pay apparatus loans and insurance premiums.