Presenter Garen Dodge has long worked with the IAFC and VCOS to clarify the complicated rules for volunteers and career first responders under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Per issued guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor, Mr. Dodge co-authored the IAFC/VCOS publication, Managing Volunteer Firefighters for FLSA Compliance: A Guide for Fire Chiefs and Community Leaders.

Takeaways include:

• When employees can be classified as "exempt" from overtime pay
• How volunteers can be attracted, reimbursed for expenses and provided a "nominal fee" without becoming employees
• How the 20 percent rule applies to nominal fees
• When "two hatters" can volunteer for the department

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