Shurden Plans Legislation to Protect Pay, Jobs of Volunteer Firefighters

(Oklahoma City) State Senator Frank Shurden will introduce legislation later this month to protect the pay and jobs of volunteer firefighters called into action to protect lives, homes and property in Oklahoma.

"In most of Oklahoma, volunteer firefighters are our first line of defense when natural disasters strike. Many times these dedicated volunteers are called upon to leave their paying jobs to protect our homes and schools, churches and farms. This legislation will guarantee that these hometown heroes will continue to receive their pay when they are serving the public and have a job to go back to when their volunteer duties are complete,” Shurden said.

The Henryetta Democrat said his bill will make it illegal for an employer to fire a Oklahoma firefighter who is forced to miss work for official duties with a volunteer fire department. Firefighters will also continue to receive their regular rate of pay while they are fighting fires or otherwise engaged in official department activities, under Shurden’s proposal.

The rash of wildfires that have burned more than 250,000 acres in Oklahoma in recent weeks are an example of a disaster so large that some volunteer firefighters have had to miss several days of work. The veteran state senator compared volunteer firefighters called out to battle wildfires or to restore order in the aftermath of a tornado to National Guardsmen who are called to active duty.

Most employers, the Senator said, are very understanding and support their employees’ volunteer efforts. The legislation, though, will make certain that volunteer firefighters won’t be hurt financially as a result of their public service.

“These firefighters make great sacrifices to protect us. We should ensure that their livelihoods are protected and that they don’t have to sacrifice their jobs,” Shurden said.