By FireRescue1 Staff
RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia bill would allow teenagers to join volunteer fire departments without consent or certification.
WTVR reported that SB 887 was unanimously approved in both the House and Senate, and the legislation aims to combat the decreasing volunteer numbers around the state.
If the bill is passed, 16- and 17-year-olds will no longer need parental or guardian consent or proper certification to join volunteer fire departments and participate in non-hazardous activities, such as training exercises.
Parental or guardian consent and certification would still be required to participate in hazardous activities.
“The commonwealth recognizes the need to reach out to Virginia’s youth and engage them in non-operational roles within emergency departments,” Virginia Department of Fire Programs policy manager Mohamed Abbamin said. “Reaching out to people when they are young has long-range effects, and encouraging youth to take part in the emergency services is extremely beneficial to local communities and departments.”
Sen. Creigh Deeds introduced the bill and said it’s important to recruit volunteers at a younger age.
“It’s just like anything else: if you can get young people involved, there’s a better chance they’re going to stick with it,” Deeds said. “This bill is just about encouraging and making sure that young people can be as involved as possible.”