B.J. Baker: OSFA Legislative Committee Report

This year, your OSFA Legislative Committee had two resolutions that came out of last year’s OSFA Convention: The Volunteer Multiplier Resolution and the Passive Exposure Protection Resolution.

We were able to find an author in Senator John Michael Montgomery from Lawton for the Volunteer Multiplier Bill; it will raise the volunteer multiplier to $10 for future retirees ($10 x years of service).

It has passed the Senate Finance and Insurance Committee and is being sent to actuary.

The Passive Exposure Protection Resolution was authored as a bill by Tahlequah’s Representative Bob Ed Culver. It has passed committee vote, unanimously passed the House floor, and its next step is Senate committee where it has been picked up by Senator Todd Gollihare from Creek County.

It provides some protections to firefighters who suffer passive exposure to marijuana while working around grows or processing facilities.

Of course, the OSFA Legislative Committee watches all bills that affect firefighter interests. Particularly of note, there are two much needed COLA Bills (Retirement Cost of Living Adjustments) sponsored by Speaker of the House Charles McCall, one for 2% and one for 4%.

There are bills started to increase the volunteer income tax credit, one to establish a wildfire reimbursement fund, and several bills related to PTSD workers compensation, awareness and training for firefighters.

It has been a pleasure serving as Chairman of your Legislative Committee, and from what I have learned over this last year, things are looking good for Oklahoma firefighters.

OSFA’s Public Education Committee has finalized the speakers for our 2023 Public Education Summit.

The Public Education Summit set for Sept. 19 at the Bethany Children’s Center will feature Scott Ayers of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Brett Brenner of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).

The speakers bring a vast knowledge base in their respective industries and will update our state on some of the national trends in their fields.

The CPSC is a valuable resource for the fire service. Its product safety recalls provide us with information to reduce fires, injuries and deaths in our communities. Recently the CPSC recalled two Million COSORI Air Fryers due to fire and burn hazards.

The units were recalled after reports of the units catching fire and overheating. These air fryers are likely in all of our communities, and spreading the recall information can reduce property damage by preventing these types of fires.

The (ESFI) is dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace. Its marketing and awareness campaigns work to advance electrical safety.

These campaigns have established ESFI as the primary source for unbiased electrical safety information to reduce electrically related deaths, injuries, and property losses.

Their programs include home, workplace, disaster, and kids safety and are another valuable resource for the fire service.