A proposed bill to protect volunteer
firefighters from being fired if they leave work to respond to an
emergency is not a good idea, in our opinion.
S.C. Sen. Linda Short, D-Chester, has introduced a bill to guarantee
job protection for members of volunteer fire departments whose avocation
may cause repercussions in the workplace. Some of her constituents want
the S.C. General Assembly to create a law similar to those in 10 states
that restrict employers for terminating volunteer firefighters who leave
work to help put out fires or pull victims from wrecks.
We would not minimize firefighters' contributions to their
communities. Not only do they give up personal time to protect homes and
businesses, but they also spend countless hours training, pulling
maintenance and even raising the money to pay for equipment.
Many voluntary fire departments find it increasingly difficult to
recruit and retain members. In areas like York and Chester counties,
where urban sprawl has brought more citizens who need protection, the
problem is increasingly acute. Years ago, volunteer firefighters were
likely to be farmers, mechanics or independent business people. Today,
their sons and daughters are more likely to commute long distances to
jobs or to work at businesses that find it difficult to have workers
rush off when a siren sounds. Also, the problem is aggravated as older,
experienced firefighters retire.
Nevertheless, our reservations with Sen. Short's bill are several:
• A case has yet to be made that it's needed; Short herself couldn't
cite a case in which a constituent firefighter had been fired.
• Businesses don't need more regulations tying their hands in
employment matters. Indeed, the law could backfire if businesses began
declining to hire people because they are firefighters.
• The law could be an administrative nightmare. Is a worker's absence
automatically excused if he or she has a note from the fire chief? Are
courts going to decide when a firm must forego a worker's service in
deference to public service?
Let's not create another law without first exhausting other
solutions. Perhaps the county can help subsidize salaries of paid
firefighters so that departments are staffed at minimal levels during
the week.
Perhaps the county and other agencies can sponsor a campaign to
recruit more volunteers.
Certainly, citizens can let employers know they like to patronize
businesses that support voluntary fire service.
