VIDEO: A new law in Arkansas has lowered the minimum age requirement for certain fire departments in the state.
In order to expand their pool of potential recruits, a Texarkana, Arkansas Battalion Chief requested the change last year.
Nearly two decades ago, Texarkana, Arkansas fire officials say they had about 100 people taking the test to become a firefighter, now they hover around 25 applicants.
Act 206, sponsored by Representative Carol Dalby and State Senator Jimmy Hickey, has lowered the minimum age requirement from 21 to 18.
The new law will impact applicants joining a fire department in Arkansas cities that opt to operate under civil service law.
Despite good pay and benefits, Texarkana, Arkansas Battalion Chief Bill Smith says nationally fewer people are choosing the fire service or law enforcement as a career.
He says the new law is not going to solve all their problems, but it will give them the opportunity to open the applicant pool.