I'm retired but some of my fellow VFD FFs can't get off work to respond to even a major emergency short of a disaster that the state of feds declare. Even my Chief who works at the school district won't get a few hours off. I even wonder if the school catches on fire if they would dock his pay if he fought a fire there. I know there are employers out there who support the volunteers and release them as long as the policy isn't taken advantage of. God Bless the Volunteers, whom by the way make up 75% of the fire fighters in the good 'ol USA.
Each state has some form of legislation that either protects the employee against these issues, or there is legislation proposed. Look up your states labor laws and see what they say.
The problem with the employers is there are always people who take advantage of the system and when injured on the fireground, companies were sued for "allowing" the firefighter to leave. The system is corrupt, and we need to do everything in our power to correct it. People who leave work for frivilous calls that are easily handled by the in town folks are only making it harder for themselves also.
I agree, both employees and employers need to act reasonable regardless if any labor law/legislation exists. Liability should be the same whether the employee is at work or not. Thanks for the reply.
I just posted on something similar to this a couple minutes ago by someone who was "laid off" for making a run. The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Kentucky Fire Commission permits volunteers to be late or miss work if they are on a run PRIOR to attending their normal jobs. There are some "mom and pop" shops in and around my area of Northern Kentucky that will let volunteer firefighters leave for MAJOR emergencies such as natural disasters or major structure fires.