(State/Atlantic, News) – Last week on KJAN, we told you about how workforce shortages are affecting Iowa Fire Departments. Firefighters are retiring in droves and new recruits are needed to join the ranks. Members of the Iowa Firefighters Association say they plan to appeal to state lawmakers in the upcoming session to help get more people interested in volunteering. The association’s past president Jason Barrick, who serves on the Iowa Falls Fire Department, says new incentives are needed at the state and local level.

Atlantic City Councilman Jim Behrens is the Council’s liaison to the Atlantic Fire Department. During the Council’s meeting last Wednesday (Dec. 7), Behrens said the A-F-D wants to lower the minimum age for firefighters from 21, to 18. An similar proposal that came before the Council several years ago was turned down.

Behrens pointed out that the Police Department has Reserve members that are 18 years of age.

City Clerk Barb Barrick said they would have to check with the IMWCA (Iowa Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association), first, to see if the change would be allowed. Behrens said other fire departments are allowing older teens to serve in a specified capacity.

Some fire departments, such as Des Moines, will not hire anyone under the age of 21. In general though, persons in Iowa wanting to become a firefighter:

• Must be minimum 18 years of age.
• Must have at least a high school diploma (HSD). If not, then the equivalent GED certificate will suffice too.
• Must have a valid Iowa driving license.
• Must have legal citizenship of the US, either by naturalization or birth.
• Must not have any criminal record in Iowa or the rest of the United States.
• Must clear the initial written exam.
• Must get an acceptable score on the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Different departments in the state may have different thresholds. Therefore, you should try to score as high as possible on this test.
• Some fire departments in Iowa also make it compulsory for their firefighting staff to hold a certification such as an EMT (EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) or a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

Unless you are in excellent physical shape, and/or want to become a full-time, certified firefighter in Iowa, persons who are 18 (and under) who want to become a firefighter, should acclimate themselves to intense physical training by building stamina and lifting weights, so that the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) doesn’t seem so hard to navigate successfully.

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