When Robbie Roberge’s fishing boat caught fire last August, his quick thinking saved his crew—thanks to safety training he’d received months earlier. Now, programs like the one that trained him face cuts under Trump’s federal budget overhaul, leaving workers in dangerous industries vulnerable. 🚢🔥
Roberge, a Maine fisherman, credits the nonprofit Fishing Partnership Support Services (FPSS) for teaching him emergency protocols. But FPSS and similar groups may soon lose funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a key federal agency facing staff reductions. Over 875 NIOSH jobs were axed in April, with only partial reinstatements, leaving safety centers scrambling. 📉
‘The return on investment is huge,’ said John Roberts, an FPSS instructor and Coast Guard veteran. ‘Training saves lives—and taxpayer money.’ Without it, rescue missions could spike, straining agencies like the Coast Guard. 🆘
Seven regional safety centers, including those focused on Alaska’s fishermen and Florida’s agricultural workers, are preparing to shut down as NIOSH grants expire. Critics argue the cuts prioritize cost-cutting over worker safety. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. claims the restructuring will ‘reduce bureaucracy’ through a new Administration for a Healthy America. 💼
For Roberge, the stakes are personal: ‘I make it a point to be here [at trainings].’ But with funding drying up, his story might not have a happy ending next time. ⚠️
