To the editor:
If you are like the majority of folks I talk to, you probably have not been following the details of the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration Emergency Response Rulemaking (https://www.osha.gov/emergency-response/rulemaking) that has a public hearing Nov. 12.
This proposed change to the fire service has had very little reporting from media outlets. This is a serious matter that has the makings to completely change the face of volunteer fire protection services in your town, all of Lincoln County, the vast majority of Maine, and the nation. As a long time volunteer firefighter, I am keenly aware of the problems this OSHA rule will bring and wish for you to know what’s coming to a volunteer fire company near you.
Did you know that 93% of all fire departments in the state of Maine and 82% of all fire departments in the United States are all volunteer or mostly volunteer? With weekly training, calls at any time of the night or day, and no expectations of public recognition, volunteer firefighters provide the service they do because they care and want to help people in their communities.
The OSHA rule sets training, medical, and equipment standards so high that a volunteer fire service will have expectations so stringent that most will not be able to keep up while maintaining their professional career. Please don’t get me wrong in that OSHA standards are designed for safety, however the change is so dramatic fire department leadership will need an additional 200-500 hours of training, interior firefighters, at least 300 hours more, and many will be required to retake training even after years of safe operations.
What will we do? Well, here in Maine, it is law that municipalities provide fire protection services to their residents. I urge you to ask your town leadership to communicate with their fire protection providers and the fire chief to learn how many current department members will be able to commit to the expected higher standards. My guess is that a department of (now) 20 volunteers will see between one and five that have the ability to proceed if the OSHA rule becomes the standard.
This is a serious issue that municipalities will need to address at the cost of taxpayers. Where will this leave our towns in an emergency?
Think about what a full-time paid department would cost you as a taxpayer. If there are not enough individuals in your town to do this, what will a regional department do to response times and the services that are provided?
The OSHA rule is going to change fire protection services in Maine and the United States as we know it. While it might be time to revise the standards, I don’t think the majority of people understand the ramifications and it is time to start the conversation. Please start asking questions and understand what is coming.
Jake Abbott
Whitefield (formerly Newcastle)
