Across the Commonwealth, firefighters are one of the most critical forces in our communities, helping to save our family, friends, and neighbors in times of crisis, and nearly 90% of firefighters in Pennsylvania are volunteers wanting to help their community.

Yet right now one of the most iconic populations of Pennsylvania, the Amish are unable to get their firefighter certification due to the perception that their beards interfere with their SCBA masks and act as a potential fire hazard.

As such, I will soon be introducing legislation to provide a religious exemption for individuals seeking firefighter certification whose religions prevent them from shaving or trimming their beards so long as they pass a Fit Test to prove they are able to properly seal their SCBA masks up to the standards established by the State Fire Commissioner during State Fire Academy Training.

By doing so, it is my hope that we will be able to give our esteemed Amish citizens and individuals of other religions the opportunity to serve their communities while maintaining their religious teachings and further helping to aid in the ongoing staffing shortage suffered by many fire companies throughout Pennsylvania.

I hope you will join me in sponsoring this important legislation.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0815: 35-7384