There is someone at my work with the same situation. I know my work tries to be lenient when he is on a call but you have to remember that your work has a job to complete too. From what I can tell with him they aren't obligated to not penalize him but I don't know if there are any real laws. Sorry I couldn't be more help. You should try asking other volunteers if they know.

I dont believe fire fighters are exempt from being terminated for not going to work. While I'm sure most employers would understand. As a general rule try not to respond to calls that don't absolutly need you. You're a volunteer, you have to support your familiy too. Good luck

In PA you CANNOT be fired for responding to a call that comes in PRIOR to your scheduled start time and carries over past your scheduled start time. A note or letter from your Chief or OIC may be requested from your employer. (You should ask about that prior to the situation arising so you can bring one directly after the call if it will be needed.) The note should have the start and end times of your involvement. Your employer does not have to pay you for the missed time and if you decide to not go directly to work, you may get fired for that. This has been a law for at least the last 20 years that I have been in the fire service in PA.

Pennsylvania, Volunteer Firefighters VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS - PROHIBIT EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION FOR TIME LOST Act of 1977, P.L. 249, No. 83 An Act Prohibiting employers from firing employees who lost time from employment in the line of duty as volunteer firemen, fire police and volunteer members of ambulance services and rescue squads; and providing penalties. (Tit. Amended Dec. 5, 1988, P.L. 1102, No. 131) Section 1. No employer shall terminate or discipline an employee who is a volunteer fireman, fire police or volunteer member of an ambulance service or rescue squad and in the line of duty has responded to a call prior to the time he was due to report for work resulting in a loss of time from his employment. (1 amended Dec. 5, 1988, P.L. 1102, No. 131) Section 1.1. No employer shall discriminate against any employee because such employee has been injured in the line of duty as a volunteer fireman, fire police or volunteer member of an ambulance service or rescue squad, nor shall employer discriminate against any employee injured in the line of duty as a volunteer fireman, fire police or volunteer member of an ambulance service or rescue squad who subsequently returns to work after receiving workers' compensation benefits pursuant to the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L. 736, No. 338), known as "The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act." The term "discriminate" shall mean to discharge or to discipline in a manner inconsistent with the employer's treatment of other similarly situated employees who are injured in the course of their employment or related activities. (1.1 added Dec. 5, 1988, P.L. 1102, No. 131) Section 2. Any time lost from employment as provided in section 1 may be charged to the employees regular pay. Section 3. Amy employee losing time as provided in section 1 shall supply his employer with a statement from the chief executive officer of his volunteer fire company, ambulance service or rescue squad or its affiliated organization stating the he responded to a call and the time thereof. (3 amended Dec. 5, 1988, P.L 1102, No. 131) Section 4. As used in this act, "line of duty" shall mean going to, coming from or during fire prevention activities which includes fire prevention, first aid, rescue and salvage, ambulance service, fire police work, assistance at accidents, control of crowds both of the fire grounds and at occasions of public or general assembly, animal rescue, abatement of conditions due to storm, flood or general peril, abatement or removal of hazards to safety and such other activities as are commonly undertaken by fire companies, ambulance services or rescue squads or their affiliated organizations. The term "employer" includes any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to any employee. The term "discipline" shall mean the taking of any action against an employee which adversely affects his regular pay to an extent greater than permitted by section 2, his job status or opportunity for promotion, or his right to any benefit granted by the employer to other similarly situated employees. (4 amended Dec. 5, 1988, P.L. 1102, No.131) Section 5. Any employer who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this act shall be required to revoke and disciplinary action and any penalty attached thereto, or to reinstate such employee to his former position and shall be required to pay such employee all lost wages and benefits for the period between termination and reinstatement and any reasonable attorney fees which are incurred in an action to recover lost wages and benefits. Any action to enforce the provisions of this act shall be commenced within the period of two years within the date of violation and such action in which the employer is located. (5 amended Dec. 5, 1988, P.L. 1102, No. 131)