Protecting Firefighters

Firefighters’ work is stressful enough. Now, thanks to legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, they may have one less burden to bear.

State Rep. Tim Madden joined with Massachusetts colleagues this week to strengthen volunteer firefighters’ job security at their places of primary employment. Current statutes protect volunteer firefighters from being dismissed from their jobs if they arrive late for work because they were fighting a fire. The new legislation will extend those protections, ensuring volunteer firefighters will not be dismissed if they are called to respond to natural disasters, emergency medical responses or hazardous material incidents.

The legislation must now be passed by the Senate.

“I am pleased we were able to move this along favorably and hope the Senate will do the same,” Rep. Madden said in a statement this week. “I would also like to acknowledge Capt. William H. Smith of the Aquinnah Fire Department for his continuous advocacy on this issue. We all know the volunteer firemen are crucial to the safety of the Island and have been for years”.