By Dominic Genetti
Jacksonville Journal-Courier
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — People who aspire to become firefighters in Illinois may be able to start their careers sooner rather than later.
Illinois Republican Rep. Amy Elik, who represents the Metro East area of St. Louis in the state’s 111th House District, which includes Alton, filed House Bill 4936 on Wednesday to lower the eligibility age to become a firefighter to 18. Currently, no one under age 21 is eligible to become a firefighter in the state. The bill would amend the Illinois Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act.
Read more: Illinois bill would require mental health warnings on social media
The legislation would also raise the maximum age to take the firefighter exam to 37. Under current law, no one older than 35 can become a first-time firefighter.
Arkansas is another state that requires individuals to be age 21 or older to become a firefighter, while some cities have set that age in their municipal codes, including Indianapolis, Denver and New York City. States that allow people age 18 or older to become firefighters include California, Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee, Washington and Nevada.
Is 18 too young to become a firefighter? How could changing firefighter age requirements affect your local fire department?
FireRescue1 readers respond:
- A person can join the military at 18 (17 with parental approval). Not sure why there is concern about exposure to traumatic events. Young people are already exposed to a variety of stressful situations and they’re much more resilient than we often think. The age limit should be less important than the systems we put in place to address exposure to trauma and decompression after incidents, regardless of the firefighter’s age.
- I was 18 when I started. The service got 46 years out of me.
- Many, many 18-year-olds have and continue to serve in our armed forces. That said, the maturity of 18-21-year-olds varies greatly! Responder mental health is treated much differently now than it was when I started 40+ years ago. Regardless of age, we need to make sure our new folks are aware of the risks and the resources available to help protect their mental health. I don’t think we should underestimate 18 year-olds capabilities.
- No, if an 18-year-old can go defend our country, they can fight fires.
- It depends on the individual candidate. Strong and thorough interviews and the application process should identify who can and who shouldn’t. It can be very hard to delay bringing a qualified individual, but is necessary. At 28, you can be in the military, so it should be possible
- Well, I may be a little prejudiced on this question, as I joined my local volunteer fire department at the age of 16. In fact, I was the youngest member ever accepted for membership, as I was accepted as a member on my 16th birthday. I see nothing wrong with accepting young people 16 - 18 as junior members, and then advancing them to full membership at 18. When I was 18, I joined the Marine Corps and went to Vietnam, so I sure as hell don’t see why I couldn’t serve as a firefighter.
- No, it’s not too young. If we as a society are fine with sending 18-year-olds to war, endangering themselves and killing other people, then how could we say you can’t be a firefighter? There is no less danger as a firefighter. If they’re responsible enough to shoot an rpg, then they’re responsible enough to use a nozzle.
- My department has a minimum of 18 and an upper limit of 28. The upper range was raised several years ago to enlarge the pool of applicants, which has substantially decreased over the last 10 years. I personally believe the minimum should be 21 to have a more mature person enter firefighting.
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