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Governor Jack Markell Signs Firefighter's Protection Law
Friday, September 6, 2013

On September 6, 2013 at 10AM, Governor Jack Markell signed into law House Bill 21 and House Bill 22.

House Bill 21 - This bill establishes the Volunteer Emergency Responders Job Protection Act. The Act prohibits an employer from terminating or taking any other disciplinary action against an employee who is a volunteer emergency responder if such employee, when acting as a voluntary emergency responder, is absent from his or her place of employment for a Governor-declared State of Emergency lasting up to 7 days or a President-declared National Emergency lasting up to 14 days. The Act further prohibits an employer from terminating or taking any other disciplinary action against an employee who misses work due to injury sustained when acting as a volunteer emergency responder.

At the employer's request, an employee who is a volunteer emergency responder that misses work due to responding to an emergency or having sustained injury from responding to an emergency is required to provide proof of such emergency response or injury to the employer.
An employee who is terminated or who is the victim of any other disciplinary action taken in violation of this Act shall be reinstated to his or her former position. An action to enforce this Act may be brought by the employee within one year of the alleged violation.

House Bill 22 - This Bill protects from discrimination in hiring and retention those rendering service to volunteer fire and ambulance companies. Specifically prohibited are discriminatory adverse actions related to compensation, terms, conditions and privileges.

The Delaware Fire Service would like to THANK the sponsoring Legislators and Governor Markell for their continued support of the Delaware Fire Service.