Elective credit allowed for high school volunteer firefighters

Under a newly signed law, high school students who volunteer with a fire department can earn up to one elective credit.

The updated Delaware Volunteerism Act, signed into law Sept. 9 by Gov. Matt Meyer, allows high school students to complete community service requirements through volunteering with their local fire department and earn up to one elective credit in the process.

A press release sent by Meyer’s office said schools will now be required to notify students of this opportunity when they are selecting classes, and the new law authorizes the Department of Education to establish rules and guidelines to ensure a smooth implementation of the program.

“Volunteer firefighters save lives every day,” Meyer said. “As state leaders, it is critical that we create meaningful incentives to bring new volunteers into these essential roles and honor those who serve. These bills are an investment in public safety, in teaching the next generation, and in the dedicated Delawareans who answer the call when we need them most.”

According to a 2021 Delaware General Assembly Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force report, the number of volunteer firefighters in the state is dropping. From 2009 to 2019, the Delaware State Fire School class size dropped from 408 to 189. Societal changes, like the cost of living, have directly contributed to this decline, the report states.

The report also found that in the last 30 years, emergency calls have tripled statewide.

A new law taking effect Oct. 1 will provide $7,000 in state funding to cover funeral expenses for members of volunteer fire companies, ladies’ auxiliaries, and volunteer ambulance and rescue companies. This benefit will apply even if the member was also a state employee eligible for other burial benefits, officials said.

Meyer also signed new laws allowing funding and donations to the Delaware Volunteer Fire Service Revolving Loan Fund to be made by any person, charitable organizations, and counties, and allowing the State Fire Marshal’s Office to increase the maximum amount of fees the office can charge.