Girgenti for Senate

Girgenti Measure To Require Medical Clearance For Volunteer Firefighters

February 10, 2009

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader John A. Girgenti, to authorize municipalities or fire districts to require volunteer firefighters to supply a physician’s certificate as a condition of service, was approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Law & Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“While current law addresses the issue of volunteer firefighters obtaining appropriate insurance and liability coverage, it does not however require that a volunteer possess an approved standard of health as a condition for service,” said Senator Girgenti D- Passaic and Bergen, chairman of the committee, and the bill’s prime sponsor. “Participating in a fire company is a physically taxing and demanding job. We need to make sure that those who protect us from harm are adequately notified of any existing health issues that compromise their safety.”

The bill, S-2508, would allow the governing body of any municipality or the board of commissioners of any fire district which maintains a volunteer fire department to require any volunteer to produce a physician’s certificate as a condition for service.

Title 18A authorizes boards of education to require employees to undergo a psychiatric and/or physical examination, but the law is silent as to the authorization of municipalities and fire districts have to require a physical examination for volunteers as a requisite for service.

“The bill is not a mandate on the local fire districts or municipalities,” Girgenti said. “It merely permits them discretion to require a physician’s certification as a condition of service. I want to encourage participation in volunteer fire companies, but not vulnerability. My concern is for the welfare of these brave individuals and for the families who support them.”