Legislation protecting the employment rights of volunteer firefighters and other first responders is now law. Governor Markell was joined by legislators and firefighters in Brandywine Hundred Friday as he signed two bills.
The first, House Bill 21 or the Volunteer Emergency Responders Job Protection Act, protects volunteer emergency responders from discrimination if they miss work due to an injury sustained on a call.
The second, House Bill 22, prohibits employers from firing, refusing to hire - or discriminating against responders in pay because of their volunteer service.
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“It was sort of surprising to me that this wasn’t already the law,” Gov. Markell said. “It’s the least we can do to provide some small amount of protection to all of you for the incredible amount of protection [volunteer emergency personnel] provide to all of us.”
The bills were sponsored by Representative Debra Heffernan (D-Bellefonte/Edgemoor), who drafted the legislation after a Christiana Fire Company volunteer was fired from his regular job after sustaining injuries on an emergency call.
“Here we have emergency responders that volunteer to keep our community safe and they shouldn’t have to worry about disciplinary action and worry about their jobs,” Heffernan said. “I really think it’s important in our state of Delaware our community comes together to support our volunteer emergency responders.”
Christiana Fire Chief Richard J. Perillo appreciates Heffernan and the legislature addressing the issue.
“This is something I think was hopefully a one-time incident, but unfortunately, as we all know, once is enough,” said Perillo. “We just want to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Perillo adds the two new laws will make it easier for him to recruit and retain more personnel.
“It’s a fear in all of our minds to get hurt while we’re working, especially if you’re a volunteer firefighter, EMT or fire police; that fear of being injured and then no security on whether you’ll be able to provide for your family afterwards is great,” he said.
“Hopefully this law will be able to put those minds at ease and let them know there is somebody protecting them.”