(The Center Square) – A bill easing restrictions on young volunteers for firefighting and emergency services was among 58 measures recently signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
By Lauren Jessop, Contributor to The Center Square
Republished by Travels With The Post
House Bill 2014, introduced by 54th House District Rep. Greg Scott of Norristown, unanimously passed the lower chamber in June, and the Senate earlier this month (October 2026). The legislation extends the hours during which young volunteers can participate in training and authorized activities.
Emergency services providers hope the changes will remove barriers to youth participation. They also may replenish Pennsylvania’s shrinking ranks of volunteer emergency responders.
Under the state’s Child Labor Act, 14- and 15-year-old volunteers were allowed participate in permitted activities until 10 p.m. before a school day. However, a 9 p.m. cut-off applied on weekends, holidays, and during summer breaks.
Now known as Act 78 of 2026, the legislation establishes a uniform 10 p.m. end year-round for those volunteers. They must supply written consent from a parent or guardian. The law takes effect in 60 days.
The act also permits volunteers ages 14 and older to ride in official emergency vehicles to fire and other emergency scenes. It limits their engagement to activities authorized for their age. Additionally, their transportation must comply with federal regulations.
A Declining Volunteer Base
Under state law, youths may join a volunteer fire company as young as 14, with written consent from a parent or guardian.
“The number of Pennsylvania residents volunteering for their local fire companies has been in steady decline since the 1970s,” Scott said. “We’re in crisis. Many of our emergency response organizations are chronically understaffed and unable to respond efficiently to calls.”
In a memorandum seeking support for the legislation, Scott cited estimates that the state has roughly one-tenth as many volunteer firefighters as it did five decades ago. “This bill helps position us to grow our volunteer base, starting with our youngest volunteers,” he added.
Scott said previous restrictions made it difficult for some fire companies to schedule training that would prepare young volunteers for future service.
“Making the curfew 10 p.m. year-round is a small change,” according to Scott. It “can make scheduling, and holding training, easier on many volunteer-run outfits,” he said. “That can make a huge difference in whether minors get the training they need, and continue to serve their communities as they grow older.”
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