Texas Fire World
Jan.-Feb. 2005
Community members across the nation rely heavily upon the response of volunteer firefighters. Most of them must work paying jobs to provide for themselves and their families. Many deal with the worry of losing their jobs because of their position in public service.

The Governor of Illinois recently signed the Volunteer Firefighter Job Protection Act. House Bill 4851 says employers of volunteer firefighters in communities with 3,500 people or less can not dismiss the firefighter for being late or missing work because of a commitment to fire response that occurred prior to the start of the work day. The termination of a volunteer firefighter by an employer is in violation of the Act and civil action may be brought up by seeking reinstatement to the position, payment of back wages and reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights.

The bill was signed in hopes of keeping and attracting volunteer firefighters.