Senator Susan Collins Calls Attention to Volunteers’ Concerns about the Proposed OSHA Standard

March 4, 2025

On February 19 the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a confirmation hearing for Secretary of Labor Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer. If confirmed by the Senate Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the ongoing development of their proposed Emergency Response Standard.

During the hearing, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) asked Chavez-DeRemer if she would reexamine the proposed Emergency Response Standard and the burdens it would place on volunteer fire departments. This exchange can be viewed here between the 1:28:00 and 1:30:30 mark. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) thanks Sen. Collins for calling attention to this important issue.

The proposed standard, as written, would be devastating for small volunteer fire departments because of its infeasible economic and administrative burdens. The most recent comment period on the proposed standard concluded on January 17, and OSHA will be reviewing the comments it has received on the proposed standard until further notice.

The NVFC will continue to educate Congress on challenges this standard poses. We encourage all volunteer firefighters to share this one pager with their Senators and Representative. Additionally, you may direct any lawmaker to the NVFC’s post hearing public comments if they ask for additional information on what the volunteer fire service envisions as an alternative proposal to the current Emergency Response Standard.

Learn more about OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response Standard here.