Junior fire program

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Responding to calls is by far the most exciting aspect of the experience. If properly implemented, it is also a huge benefit to the department. How junior firefighters respond to calls will depend on the design of your program. Clear standards must be met to allow for response eligibility.

Develop a set of competencies that must be attained before response is allowed. Utilizing the concept of Firefighter I and Firefighter II, set different levels for participants to attain.

For example, a Level 1 junior firefighter must prove their competence in a basic set of competencies. Create a checklist that each participant can use to track their progress. Have an advisor sign off, confirming when each skill has been successfully demonstrated. Once the checklist is fully signed off, consider performing a final overall spot test.

If they pass and have demonstrated character and discipline in line with expectations, they should be approved to start responding. Level 2 can include a set of more advanced skills to encourage additional development.

This level could come with extra benefits, such as an extended time of response or maybe some tools or a pager. Interested participants should be encouraged to become certified EMTs or emergency medical responders. While you may allow participants to join at 14, it may be beneficial, based on labor rules, to wait for the emergency response age to be Most states have guidelines and rules that apply to minors working or volunteering in the fire service.

Further, ensure that junior firefighters understand the confidentiality of what they may be exposed to on scene, as well as protocols regarding cell phone use and social media. Remember, these are teens responding to potentially serious emergencies. There may not be a need to expose them unnecessarily to disturbing or traumatic situations. For example, there was an emergency in which a routine garage fire turned out to be a suicide, with a deceased individual that had barricaded themselves in the garage and then set fire to it.

If they are exposed to trauma, include them in critical incident stress debriefing. Instill a positive approach to mental health in junior firefighting programs, and start their fire service career on a strong footing. Establishing your program as an Exploring Post is like buying ready-to-assemble furniture. It will provide you with operational guidelines, basic policy and a model structure.

Notably, exploring programs provide some basic insurance, training for adult advisors, and background checks. This all comes with a cost, though. There is a per head fee for both explorers and adults, as well as insurance fees and some minor costs depending on your local BSA chapter.

Your program will also be affiliated with the BSA, which comes with its rules and policies, as well as to some extent, its branding. I recommend considering a Post at the start and then rethinking its value as the program stabilizes. There is no single right way to start a junior firefighter program. I carry this experience wherever I go. Even in my career outside of the volunteer fire service, I find myself leaning on the leadership skills and values I developed as a junior firefighter.

That is surely something worth creating for others. Blaize Levitan was a volunteer firefighter and cadet advisor in Ellington, Conn. Is it the same as a fire explorer or fire cadet? A Junior Firefighter is a youth development program run by the fire department. It is designed to teach young people about firefighting and other emergency services while building important life skills. It is also used to help future firefighter recruitment.

Junior firefighter programs are great for learning about the fire service. We will look into what these programs are like, what junior firefighters get to do, what skills and qualities these programs help to develop, and whether a junior firefighter program is right for you. Your 1 priority is keeping your family safe. As a firefighter, I recommend everyone have a home safety kit that can ensure everyone you love gets out quickly and unharmed, in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Here is the Safety Kit that I recommend. Here is an article on how to prepare to become a career firefighter, once you are old enough to do so: How to Become a Firefighter: The Complete Guide. In order to become a firefighter, among other requirements, there is a minimum age: usually 18 or 21 years old. Sometimes volunteer firefighters can start at 16 years old. A junior firefighter can be as young as 9 years old!

A junior firefighter program trains and teaches young adults basic firefighting skills. These programs use fire service classes and drills to help develop qualities like leadership, a strong work ethic, self-confidence, and teamwork.

They can also give the participants an idea of what being a professional firefighter is really like and whether or not it is a career they would like to pursue. The entry requirements for a junior firefighter can vary from one department to the next, but some of the usual qualifications are:. Junior firefighters are frequently provided with uniforms and firefighter Personal Protective Gear P. They are expected to attend the training and classes provided.

Though it varies, many departments will hold a class or drill for a few hours twice a month. There is no need to have any previous knowledge of the fire service, just an interest and the willingness to learn. There are some of these types of programs that will hold a mini Fire Academy for the junior firefighters.

This usually means more frequent training for a few weeks to teach the essential skills. These are usually during the summertime. There are even some junior firefighting programs that will give you credits for the training and classes you complete in the program.

These credits can sometimes be used towards your high school diploma or even college credits for those who have graduated high school. This is not always the case and you will have to check with your local programs and your school.