By FIreRescue1 Staff
DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — A bill has been introduced that would exempt firefighters and EMS providers from jury duty.
FOX43 reported that Rep. Russ Diamond is backing the bill, and said the point is to make sure all responders are available for emergency situations.
“I believe that our dedicated emergency services folks should be available at all times to respond to threats to public health and safety,” Diamond said. “Granted, jury duty is a public service, but the volunteer fire and emergency service technicians are charged with saving lives, many times in an immediate fashion. This exemption from jury service should become law so that we will have all of our first responders ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Diamond said the bill came about when a volunteer firefighter constituent asked him for help to get out of jury duty because he worked for a small department that would be impacted by his absence. The request was denied, despite a letter being sent to the chief of the department.
“This bill is needed because it is a commonsense provision to aid in the protection of our communities,” Diamond said.