YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown repealed its longstanding law that prohibits hiring firefighters once they turn 34 years old and fire inspectors after their 40th birthdays, with city officials saying it was age discrimination and the new policy will help attract more applicants.

“It’s necessary to make it fair for everybody,” said Councilman Jimmy Hughes, D-2nd Ward, who is vice chairman of the safety committee and a retired police chief. “We were saying that older people are automatically not fit for duty when they are. It had to change. Older people can still do the job. I think it should have been done a while ago.”

Repeal of the ordinance was approved 7-0 at Wednesday’s city council meeting.

The previous law stated: “No person shall be eligible to reserve an original appointment as a firefighter in the Youngstown Fire Department on and after that person’s 34th birthday,” and that “No person shall be eligible to reserve an original appointment as a fire safety inspector in the Youngstown Fire Department on and after that person’s 40th birthday.”

Hughes said the police department had age restrictions on hiring that were eliminated in the early 1980s.

Councilwoman Anita Davis, D-6th Ward, who is chairwoman of the safety committee and a retired Youngstown police officer, said, “I don’t believe in age restrictions. This eliminates them entirely. I hope it will be good for the department and the city.”

City Law Director Jeff Limbian said, “There was an age limit that precluded some people from joining the fire department. It was age discrimination, and it kept people out who could fight fires and do inspections. It benefits the city by getting rid of an arbitrary age and helps to attract people to our fire department.”

Limbian said fire Chief Barry Finley brought the issue “to our attention and thought it was beneficial and we could find new talent.”

Finley, who has been fire chief since February 2018, refused to comment on the new policy and why it took this long to recommend it.

Jon Racco, president of the Youngstown firefighters union, said, “It’s been an issue to get applicants. It is our hope the city administration is finally taking these steps to address the short-staffing situation. If not, this is for nothing.”

The department has a number of firefighters on staff who are currently older than 34 who “can still absolutely do the job,” Racco said.

Ohio law prohibits a person on or after a 41st birthday to receive an appointment as a firefighter, but allows local governments to change their policy.

Several fire departments in the state follow the state limit.

Struthers in 2021 increased the maximum age for its firefighter hires from 35 to 45.

dskolnick@vindy.com