Excerpts from BusinessInsurance.com:
There is growing concern among emergency service organizations in the U.S. over a potential new safety standard proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If adopted, this rule could lead to the closure of many small fire departments and even ban the installation of fire poles in new fire stations, according to industry experts.
OSHA has asked the National Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health to provide recommendations for a new emergency responder preparedness program. The Emergency Response and Preparedness Subcommittee is currently working on drafting the standard, which would include a range of requirements aimed at identifying and mitigating workplace hazards for emergency personnel.
The draft proposal includes several key provisions, such as mandatory baseline and annual medical evaluations for firefighters and other first responders. These evaluations would cover medical history, physical exams, and lab tests designed to detect conditions that might impair their ability to perform critical job functions. In 2014, 64 firefighters died in the U.S., with sudden cardiac events accounting for nearly 56% of those fatalities, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
However, one major issue remains unresolved: who will pay for these medical evaluations? Many small departments worry that the costs could be overwhelming, forcing them to choose between health screenings and essential equipment like helmets and gear.
Phil Stittleburg, chief of the LaFarge Fire Department in Wisconsin—a volunteer department with an annual budget of around $65,000—expressed concerns about the financial burden. He said that requiring annual checkups would force tough choices, such as whether to spend money on medical exams or replace outdated safety equipment.
The draft also proposes that new fire stations must use stairs or slides for rapid access rather than fire poles. This provision, aimed at reducing injuries caused by pole falls, would prohibit the installation of new poles two years after the final rule is published. OSHA cited incidents like one in April 2012, when a firefighter in Alameda County, California, broke his leg while descending a pole incorrectly.
Bill Hamilton, a fire protection engineer with OSHA, explained that the goal is to reduce injuries by eliminating fire poles in favor of safer alternatives. “We recognize that sliding down poles can cause serious harm, and one way to prevent that is to stop installing new ones,†he said.
Despite the safety rationale, some stakeholders fear the proposal could face strong opposition due to the cultural significance of fire poles. For many firefighters, the pole is more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a symbol of tradition and identity.
Kenneth Willette of the National Fire Protection Association warned that the language in the proposal could spark backlash. “This is very clear regulatory language prohibiting something that’s deeply rooted in the culture of the fire service,†he said. “While there may be benefits, it could become a major point of contention.â€
To ensure the proposal is well-informed, the subcommittee is seeking data on the number of injuries and deaths related to fire poles compared to stairs and slides before finalizing its recommendation.
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