COLONA, Ill. — The Colona Fire Department is pushing back against new fire safety standards proposed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Fire Chief John Swan said these new standards are going to be difficult to address without new funding. Like many other local fire departments, much of their funding comes from community events, such as fish fries and pancake breakfasts.
"It’s going to break some of the small departments,” Swan said.
Swan said that he supports improved safety training standards, but funding will be an issue if the standards are approved.
“I want to make this clear, we’re not against safety... as firefighters, we want to make sure they’re properly trained.”
Many of these departments are already struggling with firefighter recruitment and retention as it is, and Chief Swan fears that if these new mandates are put into effect their numbers could drop even further. He says that since firefighters are already asked to commit so much of themselves and their time to their work, adding these extra mandates might be the last straw for some. Swan says they might decide, “I might as well stay home.”
With several small fire departments already struggling with firefighter recruitment and retention, the new standards could worsen personnel shortfalls.
Swan said that should fire stations close as a result of the new standards, insurance could also rise for homeowners.
"If they lose their fire department, their insurance could skyrocket,” Swan said.
Swan urges the public to go to the public forum on OSHA’s website to comment on the proposal. The forum will close on July 22, and a final decision on the mandate will be made by next year.
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