Niagara Leader

Oswego, New York – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today joined Chairman of the Oswego County Legislature James Weatherup, Oswego County Clerk Terry Wilbur, Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro, and numerous local volunteer firefighters in Oswego County to urge the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reconsider expanding regulations that threaten the closure of volunteer fire departments across New York.

In February, OSHA introduced a new safety and health standard to replace the Fire Brigades Standard, proposing 22 additional rules for all fire departments. These rules include mandatory facility upgrades and increased training requirements. This stringent proposal would also apply to volunteer fire departments in New York, despite the significant financial and operational limitations they currently face.

Tenney is meeting with volunteer fire departments throughout New York's 24th District and has held events in Niagara County, Seneca County, and now Oswego County to discuss these regulations. She is dedicated to working to ensure that rural and volunteer fire departments have the resources they need.

“OSHA’s proposed regulations threaten the closure of many volunteer fire departments across our state, including the ones we rely on in NY-24,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “These closures would leave our communities vulnerable, slowing response time for emergency services and increasing the risk to lives and property. Thank you to the local volunteer firefighters in Oswego County who joined me today to advocate against these regulations. I remain committed to ensuring our first responders have the resources they need to keep us safe.”

"Thank you to Congresswoman Tenney for her efforts in ensuring our volunteer fire departments have the necessary resources to keep themselves and our community safe. It is crucial that local fire departments in our rural communities are considered when new regulations are proposed, threatening our emergency services. I am committed to working with Rep. Tenney to ensure OSHA reconsiders these burdensome regulations and that our firefighters have the resources they need,” said Chairman of the Oswego County Legislature James Weatherup.

“Our firefighters are the backbone of our community and deserve resources and support that will allow them to do their jobs effectively and safely. I stand with Congresswoman Tenney, elected officials, and volunteer firefighters from across New York in calling for OSHA to revise these burdensome regulations to ensure our brave firefighters can continue to serve our communities,” said County Clerk for Oswego County Terry Wilbur.

“At a time when our volunteer fire departments are already struggling, the government is only making their jobs more difficult. Volunteer fire chiefs in my community are concerned with how these new and expensive regulations are going to negatively impact their ability to protect central New Yorkers,” said Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro.