1910.156(c): Fire Brigade Training and Education
Employers must train and educate all fire brigade members for the duties they are expected to perform before they perform emergency activities, with more comprehensive training for leaders and instructors. Training must be frequent enough for safe performance, at least annually for all members, and at least quarterly for members expected to do interior structural firefighting. Training quality must be similar to recognized fire training schools.
Key takeaways
- 1910.156(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 153 times in the last 3 years, in 111 inspections, with $163,206 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (93), NY (50), CT (3).
- Related part: 1910.156(c)(2) (77 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.156(c) ("Training and education") is one requirement inside 1910.156 Fire brigades, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). It includes 4 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(c) Training and education. 153 citations
(1) The employer shall provide training and education for all fire brigade members commensurate with those duties and functions that fire brigade members are expected to perform. Such training and education shall be provided to fire brigade members before they perform fire brigade emergency activities. Fire brigade leaders and training instructors shall be provided with training and education which is more comprehensive than that provided to the general membership of the fire brigade. Open (c)(1) 64 citations
(2) The employer shall assure that training and education is conducted frequently enough to assure that each member of the fire brigade is able to perform the member's assigned duties and functions satisfactorily and in a safe manner so as not to endanger fire brigade members or other employees. All fire brigade members shall be provided with training at least annually. In addition, fire brigade members who are expected to perform interior structural fire fighting shall be provided with an education session or training at least quarterly. Open (c)(2) 77 citations
(3) The quality of the training and education program for fire brigade members shall be similar to those conducted by such fire training schools as the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute; Iowa Fire Service Extension; West Virginia Fire Service Extension; Georgia Fire Academy, New York State Department, Fire Prevention and Control; Louisiana State University Firemen Training Program, or Washington State's Fire Service Training Commission for Vocational Education. (For example, for the oil refinery industry, with its unique hazards, the training and education program for those fire brigade members shall be similar to those conducted by Texas A & M University, Lamar University, Reno Fire School, or the Delaware State Fire School.) Open (c)(3) 7 citations
(4) The employer shall inform fire brigade members about special hazards such as storage and use of flammable liquids and gases, toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, and water reactive substances, to which they may be exposed during fire and other emergencies. The fire brigade members shall also be advised of any changes that occur in relation to the special hazards. The employer shall develop and make available for inspection by fire brigade members, written procedures that describe the actions to be taken in situations involving the special hazards and shall include these in the training and education program. Open (c)(4) 5 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.156.
Export the list: 111 inspections cited 1910.156(c) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.156(c).
At 6:00 a.m. on November 13, 2023, a firefighting crew responded to a building fire. Engine 55 performed suppression operations, while Truck 44 (T44) performedforcible entry and ventilation operations. A crew of two from T44, including Firefighter 1, went to the flat roof of the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 58 |
| 2025 | 63 |
| 2026 | 28 |
Top states: IL (93), NY (50), CT (3), MN (2), TX (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GEORGIA PACIFIC WOOD PRODUCTS | CAMDEN, TX | $107,584 |
| GEORGIA PACIFIC WOOD PRODUCTS | CAMDEN, TX | $13,000 |
| CITY OF BEARDSTOWN - FIRE DEPT. | BEARDSTOWN, IL | $12,000 |
| CITY OF CHICAGO - FIRE DEPT. - BATTALION 23 | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 |
| VILLAGE OF MAYWOOD - FIRE DEPARTMENT | MAYWOOD, IL | $8,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.156(c).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.156(c)(2) 77 citations
- 1910.156(c)(1) 64 citations
- 1910.156(c)(3) 7 citations
- 1910.156(c)(4) 5 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must fire brigade members be trained?
At least annually, and at least quarterly for members expected to perform interior structural fire fighting.
When must training be given?
Before fire brigade members perform fire brigade emergency activities.
Do leaders need more training?
Yes. Leaders and training instructors need more comprehensive training than general members.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.156 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.