FORESTBURGH — Former Chief of the Forestburgh Fire Department, Jim Steinberg Sr., was joined by other members of the department in asking the Town Board for a resolution declaring their denouncement of the proposed changes to the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) fire protocols for volunteer fire departments in support of the department’s recently submitted a letter of dissent.

In addition to the letter from the department, Steinberg submitted both a personal letter of dissent.

Following Steinberg’s plea, Town Supervisor Dan Hogue requested the town’s legal counsel, Troy Johnstone, Esq., to draft a resolution of the town’s solidarity with the department. Similar resolutions have recently been passed by the county and other town governments in the interest of protecting the local volunteer departments. Hogue noted that the topic has been discussed by the Council of Town Supervisors in recent weeks.

According to Steinberg, if approved, the changes would alter rules set in place since 1982 and  cause at minimum a 40 percent increase to the department’s budget, which would fall squarely on the shoulders of the town’s taxpayers. This rise in taxes would be due to the cost of what would be an increase in required fire apparatus and extensive training, which would become mandated by OSHA.

“Whatever OSHA says, we have to follow,” Steinberg said.

The past chief also noted that the changes would increase difficulty in recruitment for the 15-member strong department. He said that the charter would require departments to have at least 17 members, with a majority being qualified for interior fire work. Forestburgh currently has five interior firefighters. 

Steinberg warned of the possibility that Forestburgh, as well as many other departments throughout the county, could face a total shut down or consolidate.