DOVER, Del. — Delaware has taken a significant step to encourage civic engagement among high school students by allowing them to earn elective credits through volunteering with local fire departments, following the enactment of a new law. Governor Matt Meyer signed the updated Delaware Volunteerism Act on Sept. 9, expanding opportunities for young individuals to contribute to their communities while fulfilling academic requirements.
Under the new law, students can earn up to one elective credit for completing community service through their local fire department. The legislation mandates that schools inform students about these volunteering opportunities during class selection periods. Additionally, the Delaware Department of Education is tasked with developing rules and guidelines to ensure the program is implemented effectively.
“Volunteer firefighters save lives every day,” Meyer said. “As state leaders, it is critical that we create meaningful incentives to bring new volunteers into these essential roles and honor those who serve. These bills are an investment in public safety, in teaching the next generation, and in the dedicated Delawareans who answer the call when we need them most.”
The urgency for this initiative stems from a report by the 2021 Delaware General Assembly Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force. It highlighted a concerning trend: the number of volunteer firefighters in the state has been declining. Between 2009 and 2019, enrollment in the Delaware State Fire School fell from 408 to just 189 participants. The report attributes this drop to various societal factors, including rising living costs.
Moreover, emergency calls across Delaware have surged in the past three decades, tripling in number, which underscores the need for more volunteers in the firefighting community. To address additional concerns related to volunteer fire service, a new law set to take effect on Oct. 1 will allocate $7,000 in state funds to cover funeral expenses for members of volunteer fire companies, ladies’ auxiliaries, and volunteer ambulance and rescue teams. This benefit remains applicable even if the member qualifies for other burial benefits as a state employee.
In a further push to bolster support for volunteer fire services, Meyer also enacted laws that will allow funding and donations to the Delaware Volunteer Fire Service Revolving Loan Fund from individuals, charitable organizations, and county agencies. Additionally, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is now authorized to raise the maximum fees that it can charge, further fostering resources for these critical community services.
This new legislation represents a coordinated effort by the state to address the challenges faced by volunteer fire companies while simultaneously engaging the youth of Delaware in meaningful community service activities.
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