MUNSTER, Ind. — Anyone who wants a job as a Munster, Ind. volunteer firefighter won’t have to wait until they’re 21 years old.
NWITimes reported that town officials plan to lower the minimum age requirement to 18 to help fill several openings. At one time, about 45 years ago, the minimum age was 18, but it was later raised to 21, Interim Fire Chief Dave Pelc said.
Chief Pelc said potential candidates are waiting until the policy change is adopted. However, the council postponed official action on the matter until it could confirm that the town’s liability insurance covers an 18-year-old firefighter and that the town is in adherence with state guidelines.
Council President John Reed favors the idea.
“If an 18-year-old is old enough to pick up a weapon and go to Afghanistan to fight, they’re old enough to be a firefighter in Munster,” he said.