THE FOLLOWING RELEASE IS FROM STATE REP BRANDUN SCHWEIZER’S OFFICE
SPRINGFIELD, IL… State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) passed legislation out of the Police and Fire Committee to expand protections for volunteer first responders.
The bill, HB 1353, amends the Volunteer Emergency Worker Protection Act to prohibit the termination or discipline of employees who also serve as first responders when they are required to attend training. The bill also clarifies that employers may not require employees to use accrued benefit time to respond to an emergency or participate in training. Additionally, the legislation increases the minimum municipal population covered by the Act from 7,500 to 15,000.
“In Illinois, nearly 70% of all fire departments are made up of volunteers, including many who serve in rescue and EMT roles,” said Rep. Schweizer. “With so much of our state relying on volunteer services, we must support these first responders wherever we can. I filed HB 1353 to ensure volunteer responders are protected from discipline or termination at their full-time jobs when they answer the call to serve or attend required training.”
Schweizer’s bill does not require employers to compensate employees for time spent responding to emergencies or attending training, nor does it supersede workplace policies, collective bargaining agreements, or administrative rules. Any existing workplace policies regarding cell phone use remain in effect under this legislation.
The idea for the bill came from the Village of Oakwood’s volunteer fire chief, Jeremy Evans. Schweizer noted that incentives to become a volunteer first responder are limited, and without protections for their full-time employment, recruitment and retention will continue to decline.
“At a time when recruitment and retention of first responders are alarmingly low, legislation like this is critically important,” Schweizer said. “I was thrilled when Chief Evans brought the idea to my attention and we were able to work on language to help with this issue affecting volunteer first responders. I thank my colleagues in the Police and Fire Committee for allowing it to pass.”
The bill passed the committee unanimously and awaits further action. To follow the bill, visit ILGA.gov. To contact Rep. Schweizer, call (217) 477-0104 or visit RepSchweizer.com.
