Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

December 21, 2023

When others run away from danger, emergency responders run toward it. My local fire company in Wilmington saved my life, and thousands of Americans all across the country have stories like mine. Firefighters and emergency responders always have our backs, and we should always have theirs.

Today my Department of Labor is proposing a rule that would strengthen safety standards for emergency responder equipment, training, and vehicle operations for the first time in more than 40 years. These new standards would prevent thousands of injuries for more than 1 million brave emergency responders across the country.

I have fought for emergency responders and firefighters my entire career, and my administration will continue doing everything it can to make sure they have the resources they need to do their jobs safely.

Categories: Statements by the President : Occupational safety standards for emergency responders, Department of Labor proposed rule.

Subjects: First responders, service and dedication; Occupational safety standards for emergency responders, Department of Labor proposed rule; Worker protections and labor standards.

DCPD Number: DCPD202301138.

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