Across the state, volunteer emergency service organizations have struggled to attract new members to fight fires. By some estimates, Pennsylvania has approximately one-tenth of the volunteer firefighters now than we did in the 1970s. It is vital that we establish and nurture a pipeline of trained individuals who will respond to our communities’ emergencies.
Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act currently allows volunteer emergency service organization members who are 14- and 15-years of age to engage in training or firefighting activities until 10:00 p.m. the night before a school day. However, during the weekends or holiday and summer breaks, they can only participate in these activities until 9:00 p.m. This means they can work later during the school week than they can when school is not in session.
Soon, I will be introducing legislation to allow these 14- and 15-year-olds to engage in training and firefighting activities until 10:00 p.m. any night of the year. Please join me in co-sponsoring this easy fix to this Child Labor Act to help ensure adequate training time for the Commonwealth’s future first responders.