On Wednesday, November 20, VACo staff provided testimony at a public hearing for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed rule to update regulations regarding emergency response workers, who often face substantial occupational hazards. VACo staff stressed to the OSHA panel and presiding Judge how additional unfunded mandates proposed in the rule could pose yet one more challenge to local governments and fire departments in Virginia already struggling to provide needed services in a time of increased call volume, level state funding, and declining volunteerism. VACo was not alone in these concerns, as more than 600 individuals and organizations across the nation had also signed up to provide testimony. Among them, VACo was joined by representatives from the Virginia State Firefighters Association.
As previously reported, while VACo understands the need to update the standards, we are concerned that the proposed changes, in their current form, could have a substantial impact and impose significant unfunded mandates on local fire organizations and governments. This long-developed proposal, officially published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2024, though laudable in its intent, poses potential challenges for local fire organizations and local governments if implemented in its current form. More than 70 percent of fire departments in Virginia are volunteer organizations. If the proposed rule goes through in its current form, it will pose yet one more challenge to local governments in the form of an unfunded mandate.
According to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, a final standard from OSHA could take several years to be published. VACo will continue to engage and provide updates on this issue as they develop.
Individuals who will not be providing testimony but would like to view the hearing as it takes place will be able to access the hearing via YouTube as it is livestreamed. The link to view the hearing will be available every day at this website: Emergency Response Rulemaking | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett