House Bill 4936 would amend state law to reduce the minimum age from 21 and expand eligibility for older first-time applicants

By Dominic Genetti
Jacksonville Journal-Courier

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — People who aspire to become firefighters in Illinois may be able to start their careers sooner rather than later.

Illinois Republican Rep. Amy Elik, who represents the Metro East area of St. Louis in the state’s 111th House District, which includes Alton, filed House Bill 4936 on Wednesday to lower the eligibility age to become a firefighter to 18. Currently, no one under age 21 is eligible to become a firefighter in the state. The bill would amend the Illinois Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act.

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The legislation would also raise the maximum age to take the firefighter exam to 37. Under current law, no one older than 35 can become a first-time firefighter.

Arkansas is another state that requires individuals to be age 21 or older to become a firefighter, while some cities have set that age in their municipal codes, including Indianapolis, Denver and New York City. States that allow people age 18 or older to become firefighters include California, Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee, Washington and Nevada.

Is 18 too young to become a firefighter? How could changing firefighter age requirements affect your local fire department?

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