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Assistant Fire Chief Cody Meade spoke before the Dewey City Council on Monday night about reducing the minimum age for people to join the fire department. To join the Dewey Fire Department today, people have to be at least 21-years-old. Meade asked for the minimum age requirement to be dropped to 18. He said limiting the age to 21 limits the application pool. He emphasized that surrounding fire departments have an 18-year-old minimum and that those departments have encouraged Dewey Fire to go for change.

Dewey Fire mentioned Monday that 18-year-olds are more eager and driven than some 21 to 23-year olds. 18-year-olds also do not have to worry about families and mortgages like older fire fighters, Dewey Fire said.

Meade also said that they have looked at starting a Fire Reserves Division with Dewey High School to get younger people interested in the department. He also believes working alongside Dewey FFA would produce great leaders within Dewey Fire.

Other requirements were mentioned if a change in minimum age occurred. Those joining Dewey Fire at 18 would have to graduate from high school, they would have to have Firefighter One training and they wouldn't be allowed to drive some vehicles.

While the Dewey City Council took no action on the proposal, they favored the idea. The public in attendance also favored the idea to bring the minimum age requirement to join Dewey Fire down.

(Photo courtesy: Dewey Fire)