The Hoopeston Fire Department recently added three new members to its ranks following a change to its age requirement guidelines. The department changed its age requirements to allow recruits from age 18-35 to join. Fire Chief Joel Bird said the change was made to bring the department more in line with the standards of other departments while also helping to bring in more younger recruits. "That's what we're hoping," he said. "That there will be more interest from younger people." Bird said the department currently has 16 active members. The move seems to have succeed as three new recruits have joined following the change. Maggie Bartley, Nathan Michael and Geno Wagoner all joined after the new requirements were adopted.