Credit: Tom Sofield
Pennsylvania lawmakers have unanimously approved legislation designed to strengthen the state’s dwindling volunteer fire service by giving junior firefighters greater opportunities to train and respond alongside their departments.
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The state House voted last month to pass House Bill 2014, sponsored by Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, which would amend the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act by allowing 14- and 15-year-old members of volunteer fire companies to participate in authorized training and emergency service activities until 10 p.m. every night of the year.
The bill also would allow junior firefighters to ride in official emergency vehicles to fire scenes or other emergency responses under certain conditions.
Scott said the legislation addresses what he described as an unintended inconsistency in current law while helping volunteer departments recruit and retain the next generation of firefighters.
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“By some estimates, Pennsylvania has one-tenth of the volunteer firefighters we had in the 1970s,” Scott said. “Many of our emergency response organizations are chronically understaffed and unable to respond efficiently to calls. It’s a bad situation, and without action, it’s only going to get worse.”
The bill also would allow junior firefighters to ride in official emergency vehicles to fire scenes or other emergency responses under certain conditions.
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Scott said the legislation addresses what he described as an unintended inconsistency in current law while helping volunteer departments recruit and retain the next generation of firefighters.
“By some estimates, Pennsylvania has one-tenth of the volunteer firefighters we had in the 1970s,” Scott said. “Many of our emergency response organizations are chronically understaffed and unable to respond efficiently to calls. It’s a bad situation, and without action, it’s only going to get worse.”
Current law allows junior firefighters ages 14 and 15 to remain at training or firefighting activities until 10 p.m. before a school day but requires them to leave by 9 p.m. on weekends, holidays and during summer vacation, when school is not in session.
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“The difference between school nights and non-school nights is an oversight that prevents engaged, ambitious young people from helping their communities after an arbitrary timepoint,” Scott said. “Making their curfew 10 p.m. all year is a small change that can make a huge difference in an emergency.”
The legislation would eliminate that discrepancy by establishing a consistent 10 p.m. cutoff throughout the year for eligible junior firefighters who are members of volunteer fire companies and have written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
The bill would also expressly authorize junior firefighters at least 14 years old to ride in official emergency vehicles to fire scenes or other emergency incidents for the purpose of performing duties already permitted under state law, provided the transportation complies with applicable federal safety regulations governing minors.
Under existing Pennsylvania law, teenagers may join a volunteer fire company beginning at age 14 with parental consent, but their responsibilities are limited to age-appropriate training and support activities. Junior firefighters are prohibited from entering burning structures or performing other hazardous interior firefighting duties until they reach the required age and certifications.
The legislation now advances to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration.
If approved and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro, the changes would take effect 60 days later.
Volunteer recruitment has become one of the greatest challenges facing fire departments across Pennsylvania. While the Commonwealth once had an estimated 300,000 volunteer firefighters during the 1970s, that number has fallen dramatically over the past several decades even as emergency call volumes continue to rise.
Fire officials throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties have increasingly turned to junior firefighter programs as a way to introduce teenagers to the fire service and build the next generation of volunteers.
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