Although prohibited from responding to emergency calls, the 14- and 15-year-old firefighters could take part in activities at the firehouse until 9 a.m.
With very little fanfare, Township Council adopted an ordinance that drops the minimum age for teen-agers who want to become volunteer firefighters from 16 years old to 14 years old.
By: Lea Kahn
Township Council adopted the ordinance unanimously at its conference meeting Tuesday. The ordinance had previously gained the informal support of the fire chiefs of Lawrence’s three volunteer fire companies.
Joseph Dlabik, who belongs to the Lawrence Road Fire Co., praised Township Council for lowering the minimum age. It is absolutely essential that children are introduced to the Fire Department at an early age, he said.
"As the father of four boys who are all firemen, we heartily endorse (the ordinance)," Mr. Dlabik said, adding that his sons represent the third generation of the family to serve as volunteer firefighters.
His son, Ryan Dlabik, 14, said the ordinance is "great," but he also asked the council to consider extending the curfew for 14- and 15-year-old junior firefighters to 10 p.m. The ordinance calls for the youths to leave at 9 p.m., but the drills often are not completed until 9:30 p.m., he said.
Deputy Mayor Greg Puliti said the fire chiefs would be asked for their reaction to Ryan’s suggestion. Mr. Puliti is a member of the Slackwood Fire Co.
Requirements under the "junior firefighter" ordinance state that teens involved in the program must earn a "C’ or better in each subject in each marking period at school. Report cards must be shown to the fire chief.
Although prohibited from responding to emergency calls, the 14- and 15-year-old firefighters could take part in activities at the firehouse until 9 p.m. They may participate in drills and training and may ride in the fire engine in parades and during nonemergency situations.
At ages 16 and 17, junior firefighters may participate in activities at the firehouse until 10 p.m. on school nights and until 11 p.m. on all other nights. They may respond to emergency calls and help the adult volunteers, but they cannot enter burning buildings.
The ordinance replaces an earlier one dealing with junior firefighters. Under that ordinance, junior firefighters had to be 16 or 17 years old. Full-fledged volunteer firefighters must be at least 18 years old.
Changes in state law allowed the minimum age for junior firefighters to be lowered from 16 to 14, Municipal Manager William Guhl said.