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Junior Fire and EmergencyServices Programs

Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program

Please Read Carefully

The information contained in this publication is intended for educational pur-poses only. VFIS specifically disclaims any liability for any act or omission byany person in connection with the use or implementation of any informationcontained in this publication.

VFIS does not make any representation or warranty, expressed or implied,with respect to the results obtained by the use, adherence or implementationof any material contained in this manual. The implementation of the content isnot a guarantee that you will achieve a certain desired result.

VFIS, 1998All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be

reproduced or used in any form by any means––graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval

systems––without the written permission of VFIS.

Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program

Contents

Introduction ............................................................1

1. Types of Programs ..............................................5

2. Important Issues and Concerns..........................23

3. Program Reviews ..............................................29

4. Key Program Elements ......................................37

Conclusions ..........................................................59

Appendices ..........................................................61

I. State-by-State Analysis of Child Labor Laws ..62

II. Legal Sources ..........................................100

III. Resources ................................................104

Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program I

We would like to acknowledge and thank thefollowing Junior Emergency Service Programorganizations for their contributions to thispublication. Without their assistance andinput this project could not have been com-pleted.

Thanks to:

Adams Fire Explorer Post # 137Adams, New York

Anchorage Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 264Anchorage, Alaska

Angel Lake Fire Explorer Post # 24Seattle, Washington

Boynton Beach Fire RescueExplorer Post # 2397Boca Raton, Florida

Brighton Junior Fire DepartmentBrighton, Michigan

Busnell Basin Fire Explorer Post # 291Pittsford, New York

Centerport Fire Department Cadet ProgramCenterport, New York

County Fire District #11Fire Cadet ProgramBattle Ground, Washington

Cranbury First Aid SquadCadet CorpsCranbury, New York

Elberfeld Volunteer Fire DepartmentCadet Firefighter ProgramElberfeld, Indiana

Emergency Service SquadExplorer Post # 85Westborough, Massachusetts

Explorer Post # 905Seminole, Florida

Explorer Troop # 911Dannemor, New York

Fern Creek Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 710Louisville, Kentucky

Fire Rescue Explorer Post # 209Peachtree City, Georgia

Gamewell Fire DepartmentStudent FirefightersLenoir, North Carolina

Greece Lake Shore Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 708

Harmony Township Volunteer FireDepartmentExplorer Post # 706Ambridge, Pennsylvania

Hilton Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 911Hilton, New York

Marion Junior Fire CompanyMarion, Pennsylvania

Montgomery County, MarylandHigh School Cadet Program

North Greece Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 702Rochester, New York

Nye County Office of Emergency ServicesJunior ProgramTonopah, Nevada

Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 14Fort Mill, South Carolina

Raceland Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 204Raceland, Kentucky

Reservoir Fire DepartmentJunior DivisionExplorer Post #721Brandon, Mississippi

Sparky’s PalsWest Elmira, New York

Springdale Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 211Springdale, Ohio

Shrewsbury Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 85Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

West Reading Fire CompanyJunior BrigadeWest Reading, Pennsylvania

Winsted Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 911Winsted, Connecticut

II Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program

In January 1994, a major earth-quake struck the Los Angeles metro-politan area and killed more than 50people. Lorenzo Trujillo, 20, was oneof a group of Explorers fromHollywood responding to a collapsedparking garage. When he arrived,Trujillo heard cries from a mantrapped under two layers of concrete.Trujillo stayed with him for eighthours, talking with the man inSpanish, keeping him calm until hecould be rescued.

Emergency preparedness is one ofa number of designated nationalthemes for scouting and ExplorerPosts. Across America, scout groupshave staged their own mock disastersto practice rescue skills. A Texasscouting event included a mock air-plane crash simulated by Explorers inconjunction with the Civil Air Patrol;scouts rescued "victims" and adminis-tered first aid. These programs helpscouts learn to handle life-threateningsituations and make sound decisionsunder pressure.*

*From "Emergency Scout Program: Emergency

Preparedness," Boy's Life, May 1994.

Emergency service organizationsacross the United States – large andsmall departments; career, volunteerand combination departments; inlarge urban centers, booming subur-ban cities, pleasant small cities andquiet rural communities – are affiliat-ed with youth programs that focus onfire protection and emergency med-ical services interests and activities.While no comprehensive accounting

of the number of these programsexists, a reasonable guess wouldplace the count well into the hun-dreds.

The programs are as varied as thecommunities and emergency serviceorganizations that support them,offering countless permutations,organizational structures, numbersand ages of members, styles of oper-ation, focal points, and philosophies.Some are affiliated with the Exploringprogram supported by the Boy Scoutsof America (which is open to youngmen and women, ages 14 through20), but many are independent orga-nizations developed locally to meetarea-specific needs, interests, and cir-cumstances. They serve numerouspurposes, with a key objective beingto develop a sense of community ser-vice among youthful members. Byparticipating in a youth program,young people gain confidence, devel-op mechanical skills and aptitude,and gain a greater awareness of per-sonal and fire safety.

A vital purpose, particularly amongprograms affiliated with volunteer-dependent organizations, is to provide an ever-evolving supply ofinterested, involved, trained andexperienced young people who mightbecome adult emergency serviceproviders when they outgrow theyouth program. Many volunteer emer-gency service organizations, particu-larly those in areas where populationsare stagnant or declining, sponsoryouth programs for the express

Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program 1

Introduction

purpose of enhancing recruitmentamong young citizens. In "The Futureof the Fire Service," an article pub-lished in Firehouse magazine in April1989, author Robert Williamsobserves that one youth unit, orga-nized in 1987 and operated throughthe Perrysburg Township (Ohio)Volunteer Fire Department, wasestablished specifically with thatintent in mind. He quotes a memberof the local township volunteer firedepartment saying, "In our area, we'rejust not getting volunteers anymore.We started a Fire Explorer Post in thehope of getting youngsters interestedin becoming volunteers at a laterage."

Evidently the plan works. Themajority of fire department youth pro-grams appear, from a quick review ofmembership data, to consistentlycontribute to the sponsoring firedepartments' future membershiprolls, in addition to the ongoing con-tributions made by the youth groupsyear in and year out.

Firefighting is an honored, albeithazardous, occupation involving awide variety of important responsibili-ties. For all kinds of emergencies,people call the fire department. Theyexpect and consistently receive quickresponse and quick action. Thosewho are firefighters share a desire forcommunity service and a dedicationto fellow citizens, accept personalstress and danger, learn scores of dif-ferent kinds of knowledge and skills,undergo the hardships and hazards ofoperating under emergency condi-tions, experience the joy of saving alife balanced with the frustration and

sorrow of being unable to do so, andsee and experience tremendous upsand downs.

For many years, VolunteerFiremen's Insurance Services (VFIS)of York, Pennsylvania, has sponsoreda contest among fire departmentyouth programs, annually recognizinga program that exemplifies high lev-els of community involvement, effec-tive organization and similar positiveattributes. During the course ofadministering the awards program,VFIS has received hundreds of appli-cations from fire department youthprograms, many of them providingextraordinary detail about the groupand its origins, purposes, activities,philosophies, and successes.Departments that do not have, butare interested in initiating these pro-grams, often have asked VFIS forinformation about youth programs. In1996, VFIS incorporated all JuniorEmergency Service Organizations intotheir annual contest.

Because VFIS strives to supportAmerica's emergency services notonly through insurance programs, butin meeting other varied needs aswell, it has culled from its extensivefiles on fire department youth pro-grams an overview of what such pro-grams are, how they function andwhat seems to work. We hope thisbooklet will help departments thatmight be considering initiating a newyouth program to decide whether aprogram is right for them, what kindof program will best meet theirneeds, how to organize a programand how to keep it on track throughthe years.

2 Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program

In the pages that follow, we willreview in detail the various approach-es taken by youth programs affiliatedwith emergency service organizationsacross America. We will presentdescriptions of some programs thatcan serve as examples of particulartypes of programs, introduce some ofthe legal and liability issues applica-ble to such youth programs, and provide a review of resources andinformation available to departmentsseeking guidance in establishing ayouth program.

While working to develop a programfor your organization, the followingguidelines may also be used foremergency service groups other thanfire related.



Of the hundreds of fire departmentyouth programs in place throughoutthe United States, there are nearly asmany variations on the concept asthere are individual programs.Programs call themselves by differentnames and vary widely in size and theages of members in the groups.Some organizations have been inexistence only a few years, while oth-ers date back decades.Organizational structures vary, as dopolicies, procedures, and the degreeto which members of the junior groupcan participate in fire departmentactivities, including training, emer-gency incidents and other activities.Some programs have high expecta-tions for the personal behavior andscholastic performance of members,while others demonstrate no suchconcerns.

Of course, similarities exist amongthe various programs, as well. Forexample, a wide range of fundingsources and fundraising activitiessupport most programs. In manycases, the youth groups support thesponsoring fire departments by help-ing with the department's fundraisingactivities and by providing otherkinds of assistance. Some of the firedepartments provide uniforms andequipment to the youth organization,although the nature and extent of uni-forms and equipment vary widely inrelation to the kinds of activitiesundertaken by the junior group.

This section reviews the differencesand similarities among fire depart-

ment youth programs. In each of sev-eral categories, brief descriptions ofthe different approaches are provid-ed.

Names of programs

The titles of programs fall into sev-eral general categories. Many arejunior fire departments or junior firecompanies, with such variations asjunior firefighters or junior auxiliary.Fire cadets or emergency servicecadets are found in several communi-ties.

The most common program titlerefers to Explorer Posts, programswhich are affiliated with the youngadult programs of the Boy Scouts ofAmerica. The Explorer program pro-vides a support structure and otherassistance for the sponsoring organi-zation.

About the Boy Scouts' Exploring program

Because so many of the youth pro-grams affiliated with fire departmentsand described in this book areExplorer Posts chartered through theBoy Scouts of America, it seems ben-eficial to take a close look at what theExploring program is, what it does,and how it functions.

Exploring is the young adult divi-sion of the Boy Scouts of America.Exploring is just what the nameimplies - young people exploring pos-sible career fields or recreationalactivities. There are Explorer Postsinvolved in hiking, cycling, data


Types of Programs

processing, search and rescue, healthcareers, business, social service, law,law enforcement, gliders, Sea Scouts,firefighting, scuba diving, broadcast-ing, fashion and other areas. NationalExplorer events include ExplorerOlympics, National Law EnforcementConference, National SurfingChampionships, National SailingChampionships, National Fly-In,National Invitational White-WaterCanoe Race, National Sea ExplorerRegatta and many similar adventures.Explorer programs help providesophisticated, hands-on career explo-ration opportunities to those who areserious about their future, while alsopromoting social interaction and fun.

Explorers are organized into postswhich are sponsored by businesses,industries, churches, schools, civicclubs, and community organizations.These chartered partners provideadult volunteer leaders, programresources, and meeting facilities. Ittakes five youth members and fiveadults to start an Explorer Post.Professional staff of regional BoyScout councils oversee and supportExploring activities in their regions. Akey element of Exploring is that theyoung people themselves run theorganizations, with adults servingonly in advisory capacity.*

*(from "Firefighting: Exploring Tomorrow Today" brochure

from the Exploring Division, Chief Seattle Council, Seattle,Washington)

General emphasis in Exploring fallsinto these vital areas:

• Career exploration as a means for gaining better understanding and appreciation of the nation's social, economic and

governmental systems, while gaining insight and practical experience in careers;

• A sense of public service through a process of developing skills needed and the desire to help others, respect for the basic rights of others, and empathy for others;

• Leadership development through an understanding of individual responsibility to provide leadership to the community, society and others, and enhancement of individual pride in Americans' rights and the nation's potential;

• Social development toward enhancement of stable personal values, skills in dealing with people, and a heightened sense of family responsibility;

• Enhanced fitness, both physical and mental; and

• Outdoor activities providing a degree of self-reliance based on courage, initiative, and resourcefulness, and an understanding and appreciation of the value of natural resources and the environment.

According to official documenta-tion, "Exploring works by meeting theneeds of young adults through aseries of carefully chosen experi-ences that encourage personalgrowth and foster a sense of achieve-ment." Some key elements of such aprogram include helping young peo-ple to develop themselves through aprogram that involves practical


experience in decisionmaking andethical choices, group activities,recognition of achievement, function-ing within a democratic process, andopportunity for exploring individualcuriosity and adventure.

Extensive information and othersupport are available from the BoyScouts of America regarding require-ments and guidelines for programs.

A few particularly unusual programswere found among the junior firedepartment files. One, calling itselfan auxiliary fire department, is anindependent organization, not affiliat-ed with any particular fire depart-ment. It provides its members withthe opportunity to learn about fireprotection and firefighting and offersits services to departments through-out the area. Another group is com-posed of younger children (fifth andsixth graders), who focus exclusivelyon preparing and delivering publicfire safety education skits and puppetshows to even younger childrenthroughout the local school districtthrough schools, preschools and daycare centers. One group is spon-sored jointly by its local fire depart-ment and American Legion Post, giv-ing it a unique position among themany organizations reviewed. A cadetprogram is jointly sponsored by thecounty fire department and countyschool system. Finally, one organiza-tion has an Explorer charter from theBoy Scouts of America, but is notcalled an Explorer Post.

Number and ages of participants

The membership rolls of thereviewed junior organizations rangefrom one to 95 members; most havebetween 10 and 30 members. Somegroups have upper limits on possiblemembers and maintain waiting lists, atestimonial to the popularity of theprograms.

The ages targeted by the variousgroups range from eight years to 21years. The majority are aimed at high-school-age youngsters, 14 to 18.

Longevity of programs

Among those programs submittinginformation to VFIS for its award pro-gram in recent years, the largest num-ber were established in the 1980s.Several originated in the 1960s or1970s, and several were young pro-grams, dating only to the early 1990s.On the other hand, two were estab-lished in the 1940s and one in the1950s.

Structure

The organizations are structured toenable the young members to man-age their own affairs. Most are gov-erned by a constitution and bylaws;some also have written standardoperating procedures, and formalpolicies and procedures. Meetingstake place according to regular sched-ules, varying from weekly to alternatemonths; monthly meetings seem tobe the most common. Most groupshave specific attendance and tardi-ness rules, with penalties for excess-es most commonly consisting ofexclusion from activities.


Probationary periods for new mem-bers are common and vary from sixmonths to a year.

Some organizations have twosets of officers: organizational(president, vice president, secre-tary, treasurer, etc., and tactical(chief ofjuniors,other chiefofficerranks, cap-tains, lieu-tenants,etc.); othershave onlyone type,either orga-nizational ortactical. Some programs have ahybrid organization consisting ofboth tactical officer ranks and such

organizational roles as secretary andtreasurer. The groups reviewed wereevenly split among those types.

Funding

A combination of fire departmentfunding, membership dues, and out-side fundraising provides financialsupport for the organizations. Inthose groups charging dues, theamounts range from $2 per year to$2 per month. Documentation fromsome groups states that members inarrears cannot participate in activi-ties.

Many groups receive direct fundingfrom the sponsoring fire department;in fact, some programs get all theirfunding from that route. As a varia-tion on that theme, one groupreceives an annual grant from thelocal fire district commission. Onesponsoring fire department con-tributes $25 for each member wholater joins the department. Another

Sample Organizational Chart

Fire ExploringDirector

Post Chief

Post Asst. Chief

Post Captain

Post Lieutenant Post Lieutenant

ExplorerMembers


program is funded by the countyschool system and is conductedthrough local high schools as a for-mal school program. Many junior pro-grams solicit and accept direct dona-tions of funds or equipment.

Most of the groups also conductfundraising activities. Fundraisingevents include car washes, rafflesand bingo, special fundraising fairs,cookouts, a fundraising night at alocal comedy club, pancake break-fasts, spaghetti suppers, Halloweenhaunted houses, volleyball tourna-ments, and dances. Some groups sellcandy bars, Christmas ornaments andwreaths, smoke detectors, windsocksand mugs with the local fire depart-ment's logo, entertainment couponbooks and refreshments at the county fair. Some programs receivepayment for community projects,including painting fire hydrants oreven houses, delivering telephonedirectories, running a recycling centeror a rent-a-kid service, filling swim-ming pools and cleaning chimneys,conducting CPR classes and providingemergency medical services for localsporting events, parking cars at com-munity events, cleaning up after alocal dog show and showing moviesat the local community center.

Social/recreational activities

Many of the organizationsdescribed a strong focus on socialand recreational activities aimed atproviding young members with light-hearted involvement to balance theseriousness of the firefighting ele-ment of their organizations. Theseactivities include trips to fire muse-ums, large fire departments in the

area, airport fire departments, statefire academies and state fire mar-shals' offices. Some groups conductan annual banquet or appreciationdinner. Campouts, dances, ski tripsand similar programs were offered bysome groups, as were parents' nightprograms.

Uniforms and personal appearance

Uniforms of some kind were impor-tant elements of almost every group'soverview of itself. Many have separatework and dress uniforms; some alsohave special uniforms, for example,parade uniforms.

Dress uniforms generally consist ofa dress shirt and trousers.Sometimes, officers' uniforms areslightly different. Some programs usefire department jackets and ties,while other organizations haveinsignia and badges, in addition togroup patches and other identifiers.Work uniforms most often consist ofjeans and a special T-shirt bearinggroup identification; sometimes asweatshirt is included. One groupuses a jumpsuit. Some uniforms areprovided by the fire department orthe youth group, while in other cases,the members must provide their ownuniforms.


Most of the groups restrict the wear-ing of the uniform to group functions,although one program specifies thatmembers can wear their uniforms toschool during Fire Prevention Week.In many cases, the uniform must beworn for group activities.

.

Limitations on behavior while inuniform are common and includeprohibitions against public displays ofaffection, smoking or other use oftobacco, drinking of alcoholic bever-ages or use of illicit drugs and, thesingle most common restriction,offensive language or behavior.

General limits are set down in mostcases on personal appearance aswell. Most groups state that membersmust be neat, clean and generallywell groomed. Hair length is some-times limited. One program prohibits"unusual artificial colors," while anoth-er says hair must be worn in a "nor-mal" style. One program says hairmust conform to fire department reg-ulations. When specified, lengthrequirements range from above thecollar to not more than three inchesbelow the collar; some simply notethat hair must not interfere with theproper wearing of the uniform or hel-met fit. Yet another group says hairmust not come below the eyebrows

in the front or protrude below thefirefighting hood. One program pre-scribes that women's hair can belonger, but must be worn pinned upunder the helmet when wearing thetactical uniform. Most groups prohibitbeards; some say clean shaven, whileothers permit mustaches providedthey are trimmed neatly. Some pro-grams state only that facial hair mustnot interfere with proper self-con-tained breathing apparatus (SCBA)seal.

Scholastic requirements personal behavior

These two elements appear to beextremely important to most of thegroups.

The majority of groups state thatmembers must maintain a "C" averageor better in school. On the otherhand, a few require only passinggrades, and one program says thatonly members with passing gradescan be excused from school torespond on emergency calls. Severalorganizations state in their policiesthat activities of the group must notinterfere with school programs orgrades.

Some require that members mustbe enrolled in school or homeschooling full-time if under 18, unless


already a graduate. Good attendanceat school is required by some pro-grams. School expulsion and "difficul-ty with the police" are, in some cases,grounds for dismissal from the group;several organizations prohibit members from participation in groupactivities if they are under school suspension or expulsion. Illustrating adifferent philosophy, another statesthat members cannot sleep over inthe fire station on school nights"unless on probation [from school] forsome reason."

Members of one group are encour-aged to bring school assignments tothe station to work on betweenalarms and other activities. One spon-sors a regularly scheduled study hallprogram for members, while anotheryouth group offers a scholarship pro-gram for members. The majority oforganizations prohibit the bringing offire department pagers to school (or,in a few cases, to church); severalorganizations state that membersmust not leave school to answeremergency calls. Many have curfewson school nights and other limits, forexample, no response to calls duringmid-term or final exam periods. Onegroup states that, if a member isabsent from school on a given day,he or she must not go to the fire-house that day.

Several of the organizations will notaccept members with criminalrecords; a couple of groups limit thatrestriction to applicants with felonyconvictions. One group does a back-ground check.

Once a member has been accept-ed, almost every group places limits

on his or her personal behavior, withthe emphasis on restricting conductthat might be deemed unbecoming ofa member of the group. Prohibitionsvary from uncivil behavior to horse-play; no obscene, vulgar or crude lan-guage or behavior; no profanity whileon duty or participating in groupactivities or on fire departmentpremises; no use or influence of alco-hol, tobacco or drugs while on duty,while participating in activities orwhile on fire department premises;and no use of compounds that impairability to perform duties. One pro-gram states that any memberaccused or convicted of the posses-sion, sale or distribution of a controlled substance is subject to discipline, including expulsion.

Some groups take the professionalaspects of firefighting quite seriously.Several require that members behavein an orderly, professional manner.One program prohibits "acts deemeddetrimental to the objectives of thegroup," while another says that "noinsulting language to any member ofthe public or any conduct that wouldbring disgrace to or create disunityamong the group" will be tolerated.Another organization prohibits gender-specific teasing and insults.Others will not accept physical vio-lence or destruction of property. Oneprogram specifically prohibits discrim-ination, while another specifically pro-hibits gambling. One group insiststhat members must demonstrate out-standing moral character, which itsays includes no arrest record exceptminor traffic violations. While most ofthe prohibitions designated by thevarious groups apply principally to


members while participating in groupactivities or in group uniform, oneinsists that members shall not haveor use illegal substances while partici-pating in post functions or on person-al time.

Several groups address datingamong members of the group in theirwritten guidelines. Some insist thatany intragroup relationships must notbe allowed to have impact within thegroup.

Training

Fire department youth organiza-tions provide training to their mem-bers which is commensurate with theactivities in which they participate.Those groups that become involvedin emergency scene operations aretrained to respond safely and appro-priately under those conditions.Those that perform only non-emer-gency support functions receive lesstechnical training, while thoseinvolved exclusively in fire preventionactivities receive training principallyin that area.

.

In many cases, members of theyouth organization are permitted toobserve or even participate in firedepartment drills and training ses-sions, within limits. The majority of

organizations permitting such cross-training prohibit youth participation inlarge training fires, metal fires, or haz-ardous materials drills. Still, onegroup states that its members"receive the same training as firefight-ers," and others report that theiryoung people participate in all areasof fire department training, from com-munications to hazardous materials.

A few programs indicate that youthmembers routinely train along withmembers of the adult fire departmentin order to perform effectively incombined evolutions on the emer-gency scene. In one program,through a two-year course of study,participants learn the essentials offirefighting and EMT-A requirementsand receive Firefighter I certificationby the state, as well as school creditfor their training. Members of anothergroup receive training for hazardousmaterials clean-up, disposal, protec-tion and recordkeeping. Groups thatparticipate in operational training arerequired to wear appropriate protec-tive clothing and equipment whiletraining.


A particularly common training ele-ment is in emergency medical ser-vices and cardiopulmonary resuscita-tion. One group reports that 90 per-cent of its members have passedmedical first responder training.Other common training areas includeropes and knots, hydrant drops, hosehandling, changing and using SCBA,ventilation and vehicle extrication.Various forms of rescue training arepopular, including rappelling, heavyrescue, air-crash rescue, dive and icerescue, and even high-angle rescueand first aid training. Non-technicaland non-operational areas alsoreceive attention, including firebehavior, fire department history,leadership, teamwork, and self-disci-pline.

Common training restrictionsinclude prohibitions on the use byyouth members of high ladders, i.e.,those higher than 24 feet. Other pro-grams have similar rules, but identifya different maximum height. Oneorganization permits youth membersto train in aboveground operationsonly if two qualified instructors arepresent, one aboveground and onebelow, on the incident scene. Somegroups prohibit training or drills

during school hours or duringmidterm or final exam periods.

One group has established threephases of training, encompassingboth background knowledge and fireoperations skills:

Level 1

orientation, introduction, safety,apparatus, fire service, communica-tions;

Level 2

tools and equipment, hoselines andappliances, hoselays, ladders, ropesand knots, first aid and rescue, watersupply; and

Level 3

a practical exam on all training.

Another program presents a seriesof 50 different "mini" 'training ses-sions, each focusing on a specificpiece of equipment and its operation;these sessions are conducted bi-weekly.

Several programs require, as a writ-ten regulation, that members cleanup after all drills before anyone canleave the premises.

Evaluation is an important elementof most training programs. Most ofthe programs include both writtenand skills testing, with a minimumgrade required for participation inemergency operations. A few organi-zations report that they conduct sepa-rate oral and written exams for officercandidates.

The quality of training is ensured bymany groups through requirementsthat the training meet certain


standards, for example, the NationalFire Protection Association (NFPA)Firefighter I level. Some groupsrequire that all training be conductedby state certified fire instructors. Inothers, senior active members teachsome classes as part of their leader-ship advancement training.

.

The frequency of training variesfrom group to group. Monthly class-room and hands-on training sessionsare common. One group holds twotraining sessions each week duringsummer vacation and one weeklyduring the school year, and a fewconduct weekly drills. One organiza-tion specifies that training sessionsmust be a minimum of 30 minutes inlength. One group performs fire safe-ty education programs requiring thatmembers practice skills at least 30minutes per month. Attendance attraining sessions is stressed in thedocumentation (rules and regula-tions, standard operating procedures,etc.) guiding many of the programs.In some groups, a given percentageof drills must be attended, perhaps60 percent to 75 percent; whereasmissing two or three consecutivedrills might be established as groundsfor review and possible probation.

Equipment

Groups appear split evenly overwhether they own their own equipment, and the nature of thatequipment varies widely. Most youthmembers are issued full protectiveequipment and clothing if they partic-ipate in any way in emergency opera-tions, even operational training.Some are assigned full turnout orbunker gear, SCBA and pagers; mostgroups receive only protective equip-ment. Much of the equipment isdonated by the fire department, whilesome is donated by manufacturers.In other cases, they point out thatprotective equipment complies withNFPA Standard 1500.

However, some groups go beyondthe basic protective clothing andequipment needs, purchasing orassembling their own equipment.That equipment might include emer-gency medical supplies, generatorsand portable lighting units, air sup-plies for SCBA, extrication equip-ment, pumps, smoke ejectors or sim-ilar ancillary services equipment.Groups involved in public fire safetyeducation programs tend to have sup-plies applicable to those activities,such as, puppets, a portable stage orother show equipment.


One group constructed a trailer topull behind a garden tractor to holdits equipment. Others haul theirequipment in step-vans. One programhas several trailers which hold the dif-ferent types of equipment needed fordistinct applications, any of whichcan be hauled by a Jeep owned bythe group. Another group owns boatswhich it uses for water-rescue opera-tions. One group houses its extensiveequipment in its own metal buildingwhich includes the group's headquar-ters, a library, meeting room, office,training area and showers. Anotherprogram used donations to buy aused rescue van which it uses for sec-ond-alarm response. Yet anotherorganization uses a donated van toprovide canteen, lighting and supportservices at incidents, while anotherhas a fire department pumper whichhas been assigned to the post by thefire department.

Official activities

The most important involvement offire department youth group partici-pants occurs in program-related

activities and, in some cases, thatinvolvement is substantial. Onegroup, for example, says its membersspend anywhere from 20 to 150hours per month in program activi-ties. However, there are some inter-esting caveats linked to the amountand, occasionally, the types of activi-ties youth members can perform. Forexample, documentation on severalof the organizations states that youthmembers shall not be used in placeof fire department personnel or toaugment on-duty fire suppressionforces, while in some other cases,they do just that.

Among the most operationallyactive youth organizations, some arespecifically designated to stand by inthe fire station during calls and mightbe called to the scene to assist. Manyof these youth members are permit-ted to respond to all alarms. Activitiesperformed by youth members atemergency scenes include providingwater supply support for fires, sup-porting firefighter rehabilitation, set-ting up and operating air supply


stations, assisting the command post,operating exterior hand lines, helpingto set up ground ladders, serving asfirst aid standbys, operating pumps,generators and lighting, fetchingequipment for firefighters, providingrefreshments, making hydrant con-nections and backing up firefighters,and helping with salvage, overhauland ventilation.

Some youth members performvehicle extrication and basic firstresponder responsibilities, includinghands-on firefighting. A handful ofgroups appear to specialize in variousrescue operations. Some are used toconstruct firelines and perimeters forwildland fires, while others providecrowd and traffic control at emer-gency scenes. One group boasted ofhaving had the first 16-year-old in itsstate to complete the official coursein basic interior firefighting.

A few departments exclude youngmembers from emergency medicalcalls, while some specifically call forjuniors to assist with rescues. A fewexclude EMS calls involving such spe-cial hazards as violent patients, yetmembers of one youth group partici-pate in a regional medical centerflight service.

Youth members provide all-aroundsupport back at the firehouse.Washing and hanging hose, cleaningand restocking equipment and appa-ratus, placing equipment back in ser-vice, assisting in vehicle, building andgrounds maintenance, and testinghose are included in the statedresponsibilities of some groups.

In addition, many groups assist withsuch non-fire emergencies as floods,power outages, storm damage andclearing hydrants of snow. Someorganizations install and removesnow stakes for hydrants. One juniorgroup has assisted in the productionof fire training and education filmsmade by a major fire protection orga-nization in the sponsoring depart-ment's jurisdiction. Several groupsuse their members as victims for firedepartment training exercises anddrills or to otherwise assist in depart-mental training events. Some helpwith regional firefighter competitionsand musters.

Groups perform a great deal ofnon-operational community serviceas well. One group says it providedmore than 3000 hours in communityservice in one year. Projects varyfrom helping to install an ice skatingrink liner at a community park eachwinter to helping the fire departmentwith its fundraising. Many participatein parades. One performs highway lit-ter collection, while several providemeals for needy families at Thanks-giving and toys for needy children atChristmas. Another group deliversgifts to hospital patients during theholidays. Youth participation in firedepartment Muscular DystrophyAssociation boot and blood drives iscommon. One group staffs the UnitedWay booth at a local supermarketduring that organization's annual funddrive.


The involvement of junior firedepartment groups with public firesafety education appears to be a nat-ural use of young people helping theircommunities and other young peo-ple. Members of some organizationsbuilt their own fire safety educationhouse or fire safety trailer. One groupparticipated in a community educa-tion program about residential firesprinklers, while another groupplanned, raised funds for and built afire safety fire truck at a local library.It consists of a two-seater fire truckmock-up with a video monitor mount-ed in the front, so children can sit inthe truck and watch fire safetyvideos. A couple of groups assist withjuvenile firesetter programs in theircommunities, and one organizationbuilt a 911 simulator telephone toteach young children how to reportan emergency.

Participation in such events asearthquake preparedness fairs oremergency medical fairs is common.Several groups routinely help with firedepartment open house tours, whilemany participate in a variety of fireprevention, public fire and life safetyeducation programs, CPR educationand mall safety displays. Some pro-grams install smoke detectors in

low-income homes. One group creat-ed its own driver education video-tape; another developed and per-forms a live-action DWI scenario forlocal high school students.

Ride-alongs, sleep-overs

Many of the junior firefighter organi-zations include such hands-on experi-ences as ride-alongs and sleep-oversfor their members. In virtually everyinstance, the youngsters must com-plete prescribed training and passwritten, oral, and practical exams tobe eligible for ride-alongs, which nor-mally involve some variation of mem-bers riding with adult fire departmentofficers on shift duty. Some groupsrestrict participation in such activitiesto members over 16. Most programsrequire that the participating mem-bers wear appropriate protective gearand a seat belt while riding in thevehicle, and some specify that theyoung member can function only asan observer. Most organizationsrequire parental consent, which istypically obtained before a youngstereven joins the group.

Other regulations governing ride-alongs include requirements that theybe arranged and scheduled inadvance and are always at the discre-tion of the company officer in charge.No ride-alongs are permitted by manygroups during school hours or after10 p.m., and some programs limitride-alongs to no more than two permonth for any member, although oth-ers permit weekly participation.

Ride-alongs are considered suffi-ciently vital to such programs thatone group, which is affiliated with


multiple fire departments, workedwith some of the participating depart-ments to revise their policies regard-ing riders to allow the ride-alongs tooccur.

In one group, members are prohib-ited from sleeping over at the fire sta-tion at any time, though many groupspermit and encourage the activity. Inmost cases, sleep-overs are regulat-ed. Young people must have the per-mission of the junior advisor and thesenior chief in order to sleep over inone group, while in some programs,members must sign in on arrival atthe fire station. One organizationrequires that there be at least twoadults in the fire hall when any youthmember spends the night.

Other restrictions state that themember must have been active inthe program for at least six months toparticipate in sleeping over. Someorganizations prohibit sleeping overon school nights. In addition, in mostcases, some form of curfew requiresthat youth members be out of the firestation by a certain hour of the night,often 10 p.m. In fact, in many cases,youngsters are not permitted in thestation at any time except for meet-ings, drills, and other formal activi-ties, with limits of not arriving morethan 30 minutes before or remainingmore than 30 minutes after.

Emergency response

Among those youth organizationsthat permit members to respond toemergency incidents, most have awhole range of restrictions andrequirements. One of the most com-mon is that youngsters must wear full

protective gear and obey all theinstructions of the officer in charge.Members, in most cases, must complete probation and all requiredtraining in order to participate inemergency responses or operations.

Response to an emergency is strict-ly regulated in most groups. Theyouth members of many organiza-tions must respond in a non-emer-gency mode: no warning lights, nosirens, no rapid response. Somegroups prohibit youth members fromriding on fire department apparatus,while others permit youth responseonly on approved apparatus. Onegroup allows members 16 or older todrive fire department support vehi-cles if no one else is available to doso. Members of another can respondon first-alarm apparatus if there arenot five firefighters available for a fullcrew. One group states that juniormembers are not to ride on or followfire apparatus. In all cases whereyouth are permitted to ride in depart-ment vehicles, they must ride insidethe cab, be seated, and wear safetybelts. One department prohibits useof two-way or portable radios, sirens,horns, lights or bells by cadets.

.


Other limitations include permittingresponse only by those 15 years orolder, allowing response only tobrush fires, or permitting response tothree-alarm calls or as requested. Insome instances, the junior organiza-tion's own advisor must be presentfor youth members to respond, andthe youngsters answer only to thatadvisor. Some departments permitjunior participants to report to thestation, not directly to the scene, andsome waive that requirement if theincident is located on the waybetween the member's home and thefire station.

Some youth members have pagersto alert them to emergency calls, butoften with restrictions on their use,for example, no pagers in school orin church. In one case, youth mem-bers are not only permitted, but areexpected, to respond to all calls andremain on-duty until dismissed by theofficer in charge. Some groupsexpect their members to respond toall box alarms and special callsrequiring additional staffing or their

specific assistance. In someinstances, the junior members areasked to respond to their duty sta-tions for their gear and then proceedto the scene with two or three youngpeople per vehicle. Some organiza-tions insist that members dismissedfrom school for emergency callsreport to the station and await orders.Other groups permit members toleave school for alarms only whenspecifically called, when appropriatetransportation is provided, or only if acadet has passing grades at school.

One group specified that youthmembers can have fire departmentlicense tags on personal vehicles, butnot on parents' cars. Many groupsrequire that youth members respond-ing to emergency calls obey all trafficlaws and drive at normal speeds,quickly but safely. Some indicate thatan excessive number of traffic ticketswill be grounds for probation, suspen-sion, or dismissal. Other groupsrequire that youth members observea five- or 10-minute response delay.In one case, this is waived if themember can ride to the station withan adult firefighter.

Some common restrictions includeprohibitions on any emergencyresponse after 9 p.m. on schoolnights. Another group says notbetween 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. if schoolis scheduled for the following day.

In this area, more than any other,there are a great many contradictionsamong programs. While some groupssuggest that youth members ride toemergency incidents together, anoth-er prohibits youth members fromtransporting other youth members or


adult firefighters to the scene. Whilesome programs provide guidelines foryouth leaving school for emergencyresponses, others prohibit the prac-tice outright. Some groups permit butregulate, while others prohibit,responses outside the local fire dis-trict. Some encourage participation inemergency medical and motor vehicle accident calls, while otherorganizations specifically ban juniormembers from attending such inci-dents. Many groups detail rules foremergency response in personal vehi-cles, while others clearly are prohibit-ed from doing so.

Participation at emergency incidents

Not surprisingly, descriptions andguidelines concerning participationby youth members at emergency inci-dents are as contradictory as thoseconcerning emergency response. Invirtually every instance, any groupthat permits members to attendemergency incidents at all requiresthat they wear full protective gear atall times on the emergency scene.

Beyond that, restrictions vary. Onegroup states bluntly that junior mem-bers are not to enter the cab of anyfire department apparatus or touchany engineering controls. One com-mon approach is to specify that nodirect participation by youth mem-bers will be permitted without specif-ic instructions from the on-scenecommander. Some groups prohibitmembers under age 18 from partici-pating in firefighting operations,except during approved training ses-sions by certified instructors and atthe chief's discretion and approval.

In some groups, junior membersmust never enter a burning structure;no interior operations whatsoever arepermitted. Other programs state thatcadets may enter a burning structureonly after the fire is declared undercontrol and for educational purposesonly, wearing full protective gear andaccompanied by a firefighter. Oneexample of a common guideline isthat youth members must not oper-ate in hazardous situations, enterburning buildings, climb ladders forrescue or firefighting, enter con-demned or burned-out buildingsexcept accompanied by an activesenior member, or handle or directtraffic on a public highway, althoughthese are all activities specificallynamed for youth members to per-form in other groups.

Members of many groups are limit-ed to such outside duties as shuttlingair bottles and other equipment, traf-fic control and first aid. They mayenter the fire building only after theemergency is declared over and thescene is deemed generally safe bythe incident commander. The use ofladders of more than 24 feet (orother specified height) often is pro-hibited for junior members. In addi-tion, the use of particular types of


hoselines often is regulated, forexample, a prohibition on using hose-lines of more than 100 psi exceptbooster lines, using hoselines ofmore than 2 1/2 inches or usinghoselines of more than 5 inches indiameter. In one group, members arepermitted to lay hoselines, but can-not perform fire attack.

One group specifies that duringalarms (or inspections) youth mem-bers are not permitted to enter estab-lishments where minors normally arenot permitted. Another programmakes the general statement that allresponsibilities assigned to cadetmembers must be carried out in aquick, orderly, and quiet manner.Another organization prohibits thesharing of information about the inci-dent with bystanders.



At the foundation of any fire depart-ment youth program should lie clearacknowledgment of and policies concerning certain fundamental con-siderations. Safety, ethics, liability,insurance, child labor laws and simi-lar issues must be considered at theoutset, and provisions made for theirappropriate application. Given that insome youth organizations, juniormembers perform actual fire attack,especially during the day when thereare few senior firefighters available,and sometimes without adult supervi-sion, these issues constitute a gen-uine and important concern.

Most of the programs reviewed inthis publication devoted specificattention to some or all of these mat-ters. This section reviews the issuesand their significance and describeshow some organizations haveaddressed them. In addition, a state-by-state review of child labor laws isincluded.

This information is provided foreducational purposes and to serve asexamples for thinking and planning.However, it is vital that any organiza-tion considering the feasibility ofstarting a youth program obtain legalcounsel which reflects the specificconditions and circumstances presentin that particular locale.

Safety

Sound policies must be in place tostipulate what youth members arepermitted to do and prohibited fromdoing in and around the fire station,en route to and from emergencies,and on the emergency scene. Thesepolicies must be consistent with firedepartment regulations and statelaws and, in the case of organizationswhich are Explorer Posts, must beconsistent with guidelines from theBoy Scouts of America. These poli-cies should be established through acomprehensive set of by laws beforegroup activities are initiated.

Commonly Established SafetyRules for Junior Fire ServiceOrganizationsMembers:

• Must be equipped with personal protective equipment appropriate to the activity being performed.

• Must not substitute for trained firefighters.

• Should be mobilized only as a unit, not used as individual on-call firefighters.

• If riding on fire apparatus or other fire department vehicles, must be seated and wear seat belts.

• Must not drive fire apparatus.


Important Issues and Concerns

• Must not climb aerial ladders or ground ladders of more than 35 feet.

• Must not enter or perform ventilation on a burning structure.

• Should not use dielectric tools or gloves on energized electrical equipment.

• Should not operate hydraulic-powered rescue tools or equipment.

• Must not operate acetylene cutting torches.

• Must not handle life nets.

Clearly, a review of the programactivities and policies containedabove illustrates that all of these safe-ty guidelines are not applied in alllocales. Careful consideration mustbe given locally to the constraintswhich program officials wish to applyto their programs. A desire to providean exciting experience for youngmembers and a need to involve theyouth in assisting the fire departmentin its activities must be balancedagainst the safety and health needs ofthe youngsters involved.

Ethics

Among the key components of afire department youth program is thevalue of the program in teachingyoung people how to interact withadults and with one another asadults. The hands-on experiences ofinteracting with peers and adult lead-ers give young people opportunitiesto learn and practice decision makingand problem-solving skills, discussvalues and formulate their own value

systems, reflect on and learn aboutthemselves in relation to others,experiment with their identity asemerging adults, participate as amember of a group and cultivate acapacity to enjoy life.*

*(from Fire and Emergency Services Program Helps, joint-ly published by Boy Scouts of America, U.S. FireAdministration and International Fire Service TrainingAssociation, 1993)

Helping young people to developtheir own sense of values and ethicsis not an issue to take lightly, particu-larly given the sometimes unclearnature of modern society's culturalvalues and ethics. Any organized pro-gram in which youth participate is anopportunity for such learning. Youngpeople observe and often model thebehavior of adults in such circum-stances, placing an obligation onadult group leaders which they mustunderstand and respect.

As important as the physical healthand safety issues is another set ofsafety concerns that might appearless obvious, but which, nonetheless,pose danger. Physical abuse, molesta-tion, inappropriate fraternization, andacquaintance rape can occur in adult-youth interactions, and every effortmust be made to establish guidelinesto protect young people against thosehazards in any adult-youth organiza-tion. Systems that offer protectionagainst these potential problemsshould be built into the organization'sdocumentation and they should beenforced strictly.


Examples of these systems includeinsisting that at least two adultsalways be present with the group orany members of it, with personal con-ferences conducted in a public areaor in full view of others. Youth mem-bers should be guaranteed appropri-ate privacy for such activities asshowering and changing clothes, withseparate accommodations for youngmen and women. Insist on properclothing for all activities (for example,do not allow skinny-dipping while ongroup recreational campouts).Keeping secrets and hazing should beprohibited; only constructive disci-pline should be applied. Finally,group officials must respond immedi-ately, positively and appropriately,but without panic, to disclosures ofabuse of any kind.*


Liability

The question of legal liability foryoung people participating in anyactivity with a fire department is aserious one.

Firefighting is a noble but danger-ous business and voluntarily involv-ing a minor in such an endeavor,

however strict the policies, regula-tions and their enforcement, could beconsidered risky. All activities of thegroup, including social events takingplace on fire department property, aswell as group training and emergencyincident activities, expose the depart-ment to potential liabilities.

Some of the organizations' materi-als reviewed in these pages haveaddressed the liability questiondirectly, promulgating formal state-ments about liability issues for juniorprogram members. Most, at least,include comprehensive safety guide-lines which presumably are intendedto protect the organization's sponsor-ing fire department, as well as theyouth members.

In one set of guidelines, for exam-ple, an organization states, "Explorerswho receive injuries in the perfor-mance of their duty resulting fromcarelessness, willful neglect, or othercauses on the part of any person,firm, or corporation, shall not signany release from liability without firstobtaining permission from the postadvisor." Another group has a similarstatement.

The documents from yet anotherorganization say, in what appears tobe a nod to liability concerns, "AnExplorer responding to an emergencydoes so on his or her own as a citi-zen."

Virtually every youth group requiressigned parental permission and liabili-ty waivers. Some also require a physi-cal examination to ensure theprospective member's physical fitnessto perform the activities of the


organization. One program evenrequires that the medical release benotarized. Another group requires aparental financial responsibility form,along with the more common activitypermission form. A few groupsrequire parental permission formsonly for participation in ride-alongs orcertain training. One programrequires a state work permit forminors (required for minors in thatstate whenever they secure payingjobs), which must be signed by theparent.

However, attorneys familiar with thefire service commonly question thereal value of parental waivers in pro-tecting fire departments from prob-lems arising from youth programs.What is the parent's reasonableunderstanding of the hazards posedby the child's participation in the pro-gram? How enforceable will the waiv-er be if a problem arises?

In a presentation to a group of stateand municipal training officers at theNational Fire Academy in 1988, attor-ney Vincent Brannigan suggested thatproviding any training other thanclassroom sessions to any personunder 18 years of age poses a seri-ous risk. "If an underage trainee somuch as trips over a fire hose withouteven being in the burn building," hesaid, "if he or she breaks an arm, youallowed that individual to be in a dan-gerous environment." Then, inresponse to surprise expressed bymembers of the audience and numer-ous questions about scout or cadetfirefighters, Brannigan explained further:

"It's like statutory rape," he contin-ued. "If they're underage, you're liablebecause minors can't be held fullyaccountable for their behavior. So, ifyou have such a program as Explorerscouts, don't do anything with themexcept in the classroom. Firefightingactivities, rappelling, ride-alongs,even sliding down the fire pole," hesaid, "expose the fire department, aswell as the individuals involved in theactivities, to liability."

Dispelling the last hope of manymembers of the audience, he added,"A parental permission slip won't havethe slightest effect if you're negligent.It's an outgrowth of child labor laws.Parents can't approve their childrenworking in factories, nor can parentsconsent to statutory rape; there arelaws that protect underage people,even from their parents."*

*(from Proceedings: 1988 National Conference, Training

Resources and Data Exchange, National Fire Academy)

Insurance

Clearly, given the inherent hazardsof the activities undertaken, insur-ance should be provided to coverpotential problems that might arisethrough the fire department youthprogram. How this need is handledvaries from organization to organiza-tion. In some instances, the sponsor-ing fire department pays the youthgroup's insurance fees; in others, aportion of the youth members' duesand fees goes toward providing insur-ance. Members of some youth pro-grams are covered by fire departmentinsurance, even by Workers' Compen-sation insurance, while participatingin programs.


General liability insurance is provid-ed by or through the local Boy ScoutCouncil for Explorer programs. Thisinsurance provides protection for thecouncil, adult advisors, the Explorerposts themselves, chartered organiza-tions, and volunteers with respect toclaims arising in the performance oftheir duties in Exploring. Coveragethrough this program is for more than$15 million per occurrence for bodilyinjury and property damage, which isfar beyond most insurance coveringthe individual through personalhomeowner, auto, or other liabilityinsurance. However, there is no insur-ance for intentional or criminal acts.

In advice that might be applied toother groups as well, the Boy Scouts'Explorer administration recommendsthat anyone driving an automobile inconnection with Exploring activitiesshould carry a minimum of$50,000/100,000/$50,000 of auto-mobile liability insurance on his/hervehicle; buses and vans should carry$100,000/300,000/$l00,000.*


Child labor laws

As noted by attorney VincentBrannigan in the section on liability,the applicability of state child laborlaws is of vital concern to anyoneconnected officially with a fire depart-ment youth program. Such laws varyfrom state to state, and only a legalreview by a competent local profes-sional can ensure compliance.

Only two of the programs reviewedin this book specifically reference

child labor laws in their materials.One specifically references limitationsimposed by state child labor laws indescribing its group's program activi-ties. Another reports that it found itnecessary to maneuver within strictstate regulations and even to petitionthe state assembly seeking morelenient child labor laws.

Appendix I, authored by attorneyMichael Vennum, gives a state-by-state breakdown of the child laborlaws applicable to junior firefighterprograms.



In this section, comprehensivedescriptions of a handful of specificlocal fire department youth organiza-tions are provided. Programs wereselected for inclusion here becauseof the thoroughness of their programmaterials, as submitted to VFIS inapplication for the annual awards foryouth programs. Programs wereselected also because of the charac-teristics which each organiza-tion offered that distinguishedthem from the scores of otherprograms reported in the files.

The intent of these examplesis to provide ideas regardingdifferent approaches to youthprograms affiliated with firedepartments. These programs reflectinformative and useful elements thatmight prove beneficial to others. Asalways, every reader must remainmindful that circumstances vary sig-nificantly from one locale to another,meaning that a program, howeversuccessful in its original location, can-not necessarily be transplanted in itsentirety to another location with anassumption of continued success.Every program must be planned anddesigned with local needs and situa-tions in mind.

High School Cadet ProgramMontgomery County, Maryland

The High School Cadet program isunique because it is a cooperativeproject among the county schooldepartment, county fire and rescuecommission, individual volunteer fire

and rescue organizations throughoutthe county, and the Department ofFire and Rescue. Its annual budget ofnearly $20,000 is funded through thecounty's public school system. Adetailed memorandum of understand-ing clearly specifies the respectiveresponsibilities of each agency in theventure.

According to information fromChief Jon Grover, director of theDepartment of Fire and Rescue, theprogram "promotes student retention[in high school] by offering alternativeeducational opportunities. It providesa basic foundation for post-secondaryeducation in fire science, fire protec-tion engineering, or advanced emer-gency medical services. The studentearns academic credits required forhigh school graduation, while learn-ing life and career skills. The programprepares the student for communityservice."

Established in 1974, the programaverages between 20 and 30 mem-bers, with more than 500 having par-ticipated since its inception. Nearly50 completing the program havebecome volunteer firefighters, whileapproximately half as many have


Program Reviews

become career firefighters. Duringthe early 1990s, there was a roughly60 percent conversion rate from thecadet program into the county's vol-unteer department ranks.

Students apply for the programthrough school guidance counselorsand career information personnel.Both parental permission and a stateWork Permit for Minors are requiredfor participation. Members must be atleast 16 years of age and successfullycomplete academic requirements, aswell as the National Fire ProtectionAssociation's entrance physical exam(provided by the county at no cost tothe youngster).

Students who successfully com-plete Essentials of Firefighting andEmergency Medical Technician-Ambulance (EMT-A) courses areawarded Firefighter II certificationfrom the Maryland State FirefightersProfessional Qualification Board, andMaryland Institute of EmergencyMedical Services System certification.They also can earn credit toward highschool science and physical educa-tion requirements. The training pro-gram includes both written and skillstesting; participants must score atleast 70 percent in all testing through-out the two-year course of study.

Program activities take place eachschool day afternoon at the county'sPublic Services Training Academyand/or at each participant's assignedinternship station. Students partici-pate in the daily routine and activitiesof a local fire department or rescuesquad.

Participants are covered by Work-ers' Compensation insurance whileinvolved in the program. A detailed,strict set of rules and regulations covers behavior, recordkeeping, tardi-ness, uniforms and property, academic requirements, disciplinaryprocedures, and other elements ofthe program.

Sparky's PalsWest Elmira, New York

Sparky's Pals involves younger chil-dren than most and is oriented entire-ly toward developing and deliveringpublic fire and life safety educationprograms to other area schoolchild-ren. According to program spokesper-son Brenda Ballard, the program, withits theme of "children teaching


children," was established in 1990and normally has roughly 30 fifth-and sixth-grade members. It is bud-geted through the fire department.

Activities include performing skitsand puppet shows featuring "SesameStreet" characters every month topreschool and kindergarten children.The group spends more than 250hours and reaches an estimated 300children each month with fire safetyeducation activities. The program'sgoal is to have a Sparky's Pals pro-gram in place at each area school bythe end of the 1990s. In the firstthree years of the program, WestElmira saw a 100 percent reductionin juvenile firesetter incidents in theage group (ages 3 to 6) targeted bythe education programs. The mem-bers also benefit from the fire safetyeducation they must learn to deliverthe skits and shows. Members mustpractice for the shows at least threehours each month.

Members march in local paradesand participate in other special localevents, including Strong Kids/SafeKids, Young Children's Day at an areamall, and helping the fire departmentwith its fundraisers (for example, apancake breakfast and spaghetti sup-per).

As an interesting note which servesprincipally to underscore the impor-tance of careful preparation beforebeginning a youth program and as areminder of the many considerationsthat can affect such an endeavor, itcame to the attention of the authorsof this report that the principals ofthe Sparky's Pals program haveincurred a legal protest from the

National Fire Protection Associationfor using the name "Sparky," whichNFPA has trademarked as the nameof its fire prevention dog mascot. Aswe went to press, this issue had notbeen resolved.

Emergency Service Squad,Explorer Post #85Westborough, Massachusetts

Explorer Post 85's program func-tions heavily in a support capacity toactual emergency operations, moreso than any other program reportingto the VFIS office. Established in1969, the group normally hasbetween 20 and its maximum limit of30 members; more than 20 havebecome firfighters since leaving theprogram. This group was named BestFire Explorer Post in the United Statesby the International Association ofFire Chiefs in 1987. Its advisors havewon awards from the area Boy ScoutCouncil, and the post has won firstplace at area fire musters.

Activities include providing generalsupport for fire departments, operat-ing a can/bottle recycling center, con-ducting cardiopulmony resuscitation(CPR) training, and similar functions.Senior members can serve as adviso-ry board members. This providesdevelopment and refinement of


leadership and administrative skills toprepare the person to ultimatelybecome an adult advisor, if he or shedesires.

Members respond to box alarmsand special calls requiring additionalstaffing or their specific assistance,and provide mutual aid to surround-ing communities. They have pagerssupported by a "telephone tree" notifi-cation system to alert them to emer-gencies. Participants respond toemergency calls in full protectiveclothing with portable generators,lighting units, air supplies for self-con-tained breathing apparatus, and fullmedical equipment and capabilities,providing a variety of ancillary ser-vices. They also become involved inhazardous materials work, includingclean-up, disposal, protection, andrecordkeeping on incidents.Documentation on the programstresses that members do have ade-quate training and protective equip-ment for these activities. The posthas its own cascade air supply systemwhich it staffs. Some members arecertified divers and perform waterrescue; participants even performhigh-angle rescue.

.

In addition, these Explorers assisthomeowners during floods, storms,wind damage salvage, and any timethey are requested. They providelights for police roadblocks, genera-tors to keep artificial lungs operating,pumps for pressure or just for basicsupply when wells run dry, and helpfor the community in many otherways.

Each member is trained in CPReach year, and for first responder andmedical assistance, every three years.Members are proficient in vehicleextrication, and the group has its ownextrication equipment. They operateand occasionally train with area firedepartments in fire prevention andsuppression.

The group has obtained largeamounts of emergency equipmentand maintains it in a response vanand on trailers to be hauled by itsown utility vehicle. The response vanis equipped with first aid supplies,extrication and rescue equipmentand carries more than 700 watts ofelectrical power, a 75-gpm fire pump,


200 gallons of water, foam, salvagecovers, lights, cord reels, turnoutgear, four two-way radios, nozzles,adapters and mass-casualty equip-ment. The post has a 7,500-watt gen-erator, with more than 1,000 feet ofelectrical cord and an assortment oflighting equipment. The Jeep-typeutility vehicle, with first aid suppliesand trailer towing equipment, is usedprimarily to tow a nine-bottle cascadeair system with its 5,000-psi air boost-er and a capacity of 150 to 175 airbottles.

A brush trailer has 900 feet of hose-line and gallons of water softeners; itis towed by the utility vehicle and issmall enough to be taken deep intothe forest for large-scale brush fireoperations. The post also owns twoboats: an inflatable version with a 25-hp outboard motor, and a fiberglassdory built by post members.

A steel building, erected by postmembers, serves as headquartersand has provisions for a library, meet-ing room, office, showers, and anupstairs training area.

In addition to American Red CrossCPR and advanced first aid and emer-gency care training, which farexceeds the requirement of thestate's first responder law, membersparticipate in a series of 50 differenttraining sessions, referred to as"minis." Each focuses on a specificpiece of equipment and its operationand sessions are conducted biweekly.In addition to instructors who are cer-tified EMTs and fire training instruc-tors, senior active members teachsome classes as part of their leader-ship advancement. The group trains

with area fire departments in com-bined evolutions. Members hone andmaintain their physical and mental fit-ness regularly through camping expe-riences where they work on theirhigh-angle, water rescue, and otherskills.

Of the Explorer Post, Chief AndrewLaFlamme of the Shrewsbury FireDepartment says, "Their activities areperformed with professionalism,pride and dedication."

Despite the extent of the program,it receives no government funds.Members pay dues of $2 per month;other funding sources include privatedonations, internal fundraising (cook-outs, sales, raffles, etc.) and dona-tions from civic groups. In addition,the group operates a "rent-a-kid" pro-gram that helps citizens with all kindsof tasks, delivers telephone directo-ries, runs a recycling center, providesfirst aid stations for local road racesand similar events, and many otheractivities. The group also assisted theNational Fire Protection Association inthe production of three fire trainingand education films which werefilmed using vacant structures scheduled for demolition. The postprovided electricity and lighting,crowd control, first aid support, airsupply, smoke ejectors for clearingsmoke from the structures for filming,and were even asked to demonstratethe use of some equipment for thefilms.

Angle Lake Fire Explorer Post#24, Seattle, Washington

Angle Lake's program functions sim-ilarly to the Massachusetts-based


program described above, but pro-vides a second example of an opera-tionally active program that is per-haps less dramatic (and perhaps thusless intimidating to those consideringinitiating a program) in the breadth ofits activities. It, too, has won numer-ous Explorer awards.

The program was established in1981. It normally has approximately20 members; a dozen or so havegone on to become firefighters indepartments throughout Washington,Idaho, and Alaska. Members paynominal dues, and other funds areobtained through donations fromcommunity organizations, and byoperating a Halloween haunted

house, car washes, and pancakebreakfasts. Activities include weeklymeetings and training sessions, par-ticipation at drill fires, fire prevention

displays at malls and other communi-ty locations, public education in CPRand fire extinguishers, first-aid stand-bys at athletic and similar events, andan assortment of social activities.Using a donated van, the group pro-vides a canteen, support, and lightingservice at incidents throughout south-ern King County and Seattle. It alsoprovides salvage and overhaul in sup-port of the fire department at emer-gency incidents.

This Explorer post is structured withtwo divisions of officers: organization-al (president, vice president, secre-tary, treasurer, sergeant-at-arms) andtactical (one captain and a lieutenantfor every five Explorers).

Bushnell's Basin Fire ExplorerPost #291, Pittsford, New York

Explorer Post #291 is principally anon-emergency support organization,helping with various fire departmentfunctions, but with little or noinvolvement in emergency sceneoperations. Established in 1987, thepost has approximately a dozenactive members. An average of foureach year go on to become adult fire-fighters; the fire department pays astandard donation of $25 to the postfor each Explorer who joins the firedepartment. Funding comes from acombination of member dues, fund-ing requests from the Bushnell'sBasin Fire Association, and fundrais-ers, including raffles, car washes,parking cars for community events,selling Christmas ornaments, and others.

Activities include participation inthe local Operation EDITH (Exit Drills


In The Home) fire safety program;community awareness of fire preven-tion through operation of a mallbooth; installing and removinghydrant stakes (for snow) throughoutthe fire district; washing and waxingfire apparatus (the post refurbishedand is fully responsible for inventoryand maintenance of a pumper); andassisting with annual hose pressuretesting. The group also marches as aunit in all parades attended by thefire department and represents thefire department at regional andnational musters.

Community activities include col-lecting, sorting and packing food forthe needy; assisting the local UnitedWay by staffing a booth at a localsupermarket, distributing balloonsand literature; creating a videotapefor educating student drivers; andassisting the Monroe CountyVolunteer Firefighters Associationwith a public fire prevention seminar.

Members attend the 39-hour NewYork State Firefighting Essentialscourse each year and completeAmerican Red Cross first aid and CPRtraining annually as well.



This section presents a review ofthose elements which comprise awell-planned fire department youthprogram. It was compiled by borrow-ing outstanding elements from themany different programs which wereexamined as part of the research forthis book. Because it became clearthrough the research that certain ele-ments were, or should be, commonfacets of any youth program, itseemed that a review of sample ele-ments might be helpful to readers.

As stated in previous sections,these materials are provided for infor-mational purposes and to serve asexamples for those considering juniorfirefighter programs in their organiza-tions. Each community must deter-mine its own needs and interests andplan a customized program to meetthose needs and interests.

Thanks to the organizations whoseinformation we have included here.In each case, we have ensured thatthe name of the group whose materi-als are shown is identified so thatcredit can be given where it is due.

Getting started

As with any new undertaking, thebest, most concise advice to some-one contemplating the start-up of afire department youth program iscommon sense; start simply and growslowly. The first step should be tocontact the fire chief to determinewhether the idea will be accepted bythe department. It is likely that thechief will approve the idea and assign

a liaison who will work with the per-son who originated the idea.

A cadre of adult volunteer leaderswill be needed, including an advisor,one or more associate advisors, anda committee of several more adults.The committee should develop pro-gram ideas that will interest andenrich youth members and that thelocal fire department can support.Planning should be done severalmonths in advance and include arange of activities and interest-pro-ducing events; special events shouldbe included as annual or periodicmilestones.

The fire department usually pro-vides the location for regular meet-ings and activities and helps to recruitmembers. The group will elect itsown officers once it is established,and meetings should be run by theyouth leaders, not the adults. Activeparticipation and interest are the keysto success.

Recruiting new members for theorganization will be an importanteffort. To the extent possible, takeadvantage of linkages with the localschool system, churches, existingyouth organizations, and neighbor-hood groups, and use the local media(newspapers, radio, and cable andbroadcast television) to get informa-tion out about your group. Plan to dis-tribute information more than once,perhaps every three weeks for threeor four months, to reach the maxi-mum possible number of potentialmembers. One organization sends


Key Program Elements

the letter shown in the accompanyingbox to prospective members.


Dear Prospective Youth Member:

Volunteer organizations are a vital part of any community. They

work to improve the quality of life, providing needed money and

human resources outside of government services funded by tax dol-

lars. The primary aim of these organizations is helping people.

The volunteer spirit, people working together for their mutual bene-

fit, is a distinctly American notion. From the early days of this country,

people have joined together to improve their communities. This

concept of volunteerism has become one of the cornerstones of our

society.

The tradition of colonial and pioneer America is still in evidence

today in the volunteer fire department. All across our country, this

vital service is provided by citizens voluntarily in more than 30,000

communities.

In fact, of the more than 1.2 million operational fire service person-

nel in the United States, more than one million are volunteers! And

many people in today's fire and emergency services began their ser-

vice in youth programs just like ours.

Other young men and women are donating their time, talents and

energies in this most noble of community organizations, the volunteer

fire and rescue service. We encourage your active consideration of

such service for your own education, growth and maturity, as such

opportunities are indeed rare. Learning opportunities for self-develop-

ment, personal satisfaction in a job well done, and community service

are found in the Junior Fire company of the Vigilant Hose Company.

Membership is open to young persons ages 14 through 17 of good

moral character who reside within our primary response area in

Northern Frederick county (and within a two-mile radius of the fire sta-

tion in Adams county). If you think you have what it takes and want to

be part of a very special team, please complete the attached applica-

tion and either drop it off at the fire station at 25 West Main Street or

mail it to the address above.

Sincerely,

The Officers and Members of the Vigilant Hose Company

Mission, purposes and goals

To ensure success in any endeavor,one must know where one is headed.A fire department youth organizationshould have clearly defined inten-tions, stated in the form of a missionstatement, goals, and purposes orobjectives.

Explorer Post #905, affiliated withthe Seminole (Florida) FireDepartment, has the following mis-sion statement as a vital part of its bylaws:

The mission of Fire ExplorerPost #905 shall be to promote,through community service andeducation, fire and emergencymedical service, fire safety andfire prevention; and to allow itsmembers to develop fully individ-ually through fire and emergencymedical services training, andput that training into service forthe betterment of the communityand the fire service as a whole.The membership shall representthe chartering organization, fireand emergency medical services,Exploring and Post #905 withdignity, honor and loyalty.

In similar fashion, the EllicottVolunteer Fire Department JuniorAuxiliary in Calhan, Colorado,has set the following objectives:

The objectives of this organiza-tion shall be to bring interestedyoung men and women togetherin actual benefit for property,leadership, moral character, self-discipline, education, and thebetterment of the community

through community-minded ser-vice.

Program activities

Organizers should try to makemeetings exciting even if, at first, onlya few potential members show up byincluding activities, not just talk.Activities for junior organizations canvary widely according to whether thegroup will be involved in operationalemergency incident service, and, ifso, in what capacity, or if they willprovide support principally outsidethe emergency scene, or even beinvolved primarily in public fire andlife safety education. For the purpos-es of this document, we will considera comprehensive, but middle-of-the-road, approach: a group that does notperform firefighting services, butdoes assist on the emergency sceneand also provides public educationservices. The outline for this listcomes primarily from the PleasantValley Volunteer Fire DepartmentJunior Firefighter Explorer Post #14,which offers a broad-reaching pro-gram. A few details were includedfrom other organizations to provideadditional examples within certaincategories.

What do Explorers do?

Assisting the sponsoring fire depart-ment: many groups assist their spon-soring departments in a wide varietyof ways, including washing and hang-ing hose and otherwise cleaning andorganizing equipment after emer-gency calls; serving as "victims" fortraining sessions and drills; assistingwith rehabilitation, retrieving equip-ment, resupplying SCBA, water


supply, lighting, overhaul and sal-vage, and other support at emer-gency incidents; providing communityassistance during such other emer-gencies as floods, power outages,hurricanes and severe winter storms;some help with yard and buildingmaintenance around the fire station,while others paint fire hydrants orclear snow from them during winter.

• Training: Members have partici-pated in "Scene Team" (emergencyairlift helicopter landing zone) train-ing, vehicle extrication training, firstresponder training, basic firefightingtraining, high-angle rope rescue train-ing, confined space rescue training,emergency medical technician train-ing and weekly local fire departmenttraining. Members' training totaledmore than 500 hours in a recent year.Many groups receive training in allaspects of safety, communication,fire science, equipment and appara-tus and operations, as well as firstaid, CPR and EMT training, and spe-cial rescue training.

• Fire prevention: Members partici-pated with volunteer fire departmentsin the community at the local schoolduring Fire Prevention Week. Theyassisted with demonstrations, helpedwith showing equipment, handed outfliers and performed other tasks.Many groups provide fire and lifesafety education support, includingoperating fire safety demonstrationtrailers and other props and installingsmoke detectors in low-income orelderly housing.

• Fundraisers: The post sponsoredseveral car washes, bake sales, ham-burger and hot dog sales, babysitting

service and other events. Othergroups have sold fire extinguishers,collected aluminum cans to benefitburned children and others, and soldfood and beverages at fairs and sport-ing events; one group held a fundrais-ing event at a local comedy club.

• Community service: The postsponsored 12 families, most withchildren, by providing food, toys,clothing and other items for the holi-days. Members placed boxes at localgrocery and other stores seeking col-lection of food and other items, post-ed signs for monetary contributionsand solicited donations of someitems. Several groups have assistedlocal fire, rescue and emergencymedical service organizations indrinking-and-driving prevention pro-grams for area high school students.Members of some groups have assist-ed with day camps for handicappedchildren, visited nursing homes, par-ticipated in community clean-up days,provided refreshment stations forlocal road races and similar events,presented Halloween parties andhaunted houses for area children,and participated in various firedepartment fund drives, for example,the Muscular Dystrophy boot drives.


• Awards and recognition: Thepost held a recognition dinner for allfire departments in its mutual aidarea, as well as emergency medicaland rescue squads. Members andtheir parents provided all suppliesand then presented a variety show.Each represented agency wasthanked for its teamwork and cooper-ation and was presented with a certifi-cate acknowledging its contributionto the community and the program.In return, the post was awarded a ser-vice plaque. Members and advisorshave initiated an annual award to amember who exemplifies the missionof the post.

• Public relations: The post sentholiday greeting cards to each familythat is affiliated with the sponsoringfire department and other key figuresin the county. Members prepare anddistribute a quarterly newsletter toeach member of the sponsoring firedepartment, all advisors, all postmembers, and other area fire and res-cue organizations. The post devel-oped a membership package that isgiven to all applicants, containing anapplication for membership, newspa-per clippings, rules and regulations,bylaws and the history of the post.

• Resource listing: The post laidthe foundation for a countywideresource listing which identifies spe-cific individuals who can offer particu-lar types of training, certifications orskills and provides information forcontacting them in an emergency.

The key to a successful program,– aprogram that attracts the genuineinterest of members and prospectivemembers – is careful advance

planning to ensure a beneficial learn-ing experience, an appropriate levelof fun, and adequate safety precau-tions.*


Organizational Structure andAdministration

A constitution and bylaws normallycreate a structure within which anorganization will function. Becausethese documents form the foundationupon which everything else about theorganization is constructed, they areextremely important to the success ofthe organization.

These formative documents willdefine as many details as possibleabout the group, including the officialname, membership expectations andrequirements, schedule for meetingsand training sessions, assignment ofduties and responsibilities, structureof officers and committees, discipli-nary regulations and procedures, andother elements.

One important element, which war-rants careful planning and should bespelled out clearly in the documentssupporting the youth group, concernsthe adult advisors who will supportthe youthful members. The majorityof the youth fire department groupsare organized and run by the youththemselves, but the adult advisorsprovide vital assistance. Several ofthe groups we researched call for aminimum of two adult advisors orone advisor for every 10 junior mem-bers or portion thereof over 10. Evenfor a smaller group, given the need to


protect both youth and advisors fromthe potential for abuse problems, it isprobably best to ensure involvementof two advisors at all times.

Most groups require that adult advi-sors be active members of the spon-soring fire company, some addingthat they should have at least twoyears active fire/rescue, emergencymedical or auxiliary service; somestate that they attempt to includefemale advisors. In most cases, advi-sors and assistant advisors must beover 21 years of age. Most groupsrequire, and state in the bylaws orregulations, that advisors must attendall cadet functions. Some groupsspecify that each advisor will beresponsible for an element of cadetactivity: training, treasury, secretarial,maintenance and special activities.One group specifies that senior youthmembers can serve as advisory boardmembers, enabling them to developand refine leadership and administra-tive skills to prepare them to becomeadult advisors if they desire.

The structure of elected andappointed officials is defined clearlyin the constitution, as well as thescheduling and conduct of elections,terms of office, and responsibilitiesof officers. As stated earlier, differentorganizations take different approach-es to the officer ranks, with someapplying civil titles (president, vicepresident, secretary, treasurer) whileothers apply fire department ranking(chief, assistant chiefs, captains, lieu-tenants) or a combination of the twotypes. In addition to these standards,we find some interesting twists: librar-ians, historians, safety officers,

training officers, public informationofficers, and post photographers.Some groups call for officers to servethree-month probations in theiroffices. One group's constitutionstates that it will create one captainand one lieutenant for every fiveExplorers; in some organizations, tac-tical positions are opened on an "as-needed" basis.

In most instances, all officers areelected directly by the youth member-ship, though in one case they areselected by the senior fire depart-ment leadership and the junior firedepartment advisor from names sub-mitted by the youth members. In onecase, the civil officers are elected bythe group and, in turn, elect a chiefand assistant chief; the two chiefsthen appoint a captain and a lieu-tenant.

The outline of a sample constitu-tion shown on the following pages isa representative sample. It illustratesthe general framework of such a doc-ument, without providing excessdetail. Those seeking to organize alocal youth group will want to assesslocal needs carefully and develop acustomized constitution and othersupporting documentation accordingly.


Outline of Contents, Constitution & Bylaws

Explorer Post #264, Anchorage Fire Department:

Article I. Organization

Section 1. Name

Section 2. constituency

Section 3. Headquarters

Section 4. Government

Section 5. Fiscal year

Article II. Membership

Section 1. Active

Section 2. Honorary

Section 3. Maintenance in good standing

Section 4. Grades

Article III. Officers and elections

Section 1. Number and titles

Section 2. Eligibility to office

Section 3. Method of nomination and election

Section 4. Installation and terms of office

Section 5. Vacancies

Article IV. Authority and duties of post officers

Section 1. Explorer president

Section 2. Explorer vice president

Section 3. Explorer secretary-treasurer

Section 4. Executive board

Article V. Revenue and funds

Section 1. Sources of revenue

Section 2. Membership fees

Section 3. Remittance of revenues


Article VI. Misconduct and penalties

Section 1. Misconduct

Section 2. Misconduct procedures

Article VII. Charges

Section 1. Who may prefer charges

Section 2. Form of charges

Section 3. Notice of charges

Article VIII. Trials

Section 1. Trials

Section 2. Rules of conduct of the trial

Section 3. Decisions of the Trial Board

Section 4. Further proceedings

Article IX. Amendments

Section 1. Who may submit amendments

Section 2. Adoption of amendments

Article X. Promotional positions and rank structure

Section 1. Promotional positions and advancement

Section 2. Testing

Section 3. Promotional Board

Section 4. Chain of command

Article XI. Uniforms

Section 1. Responsibility

Section 2. Description of uniform

Section 3. Wear of the uniform

Article XII. Ride-along requirements

Article XIII. Ride regulations

Section 1. Time limits

Section 2. Scheduling

Section 3. Suspension

Section 4. Waivers

Section 5. Recordkeeping


Article XIV. Riding

Section 1. Station duties

Section 2. Overnight shifts

Section 3. Responses

Section 4. Post functions

Article XV. Safety

Article XVI. Recordkeeping

Article XVII. Drug use policy

Article XVIII. Discriminatory harassment

Section 1. Policy

Section 2. References


Training

Training provided for youth mem-bers, naturally, parallels the activitiesthat the group will undertake. Thosewho become involved in emergencysupport activities receive a broadrange of training in emergency services, while those who performpublic education functions receivetraining that focuses more distinctlyin that area.

In those groups that do becomeinvolved in emergency field activities,training generally covers every aspectof the fire service, ranging from whatthe fire service is and how fire depart-ments operate, to the technicaldetails of fire prevention, suppres-sion, emergency medical, and suchspecialty areas as hazardous materi-als and technical rescue. Trainingtends to be extensive, sometimes asmuch as 10 hours per month. Themost common schedule calls forbiweekly training sessions during theschool year (September through

June), each one to two hours long,and a series of weekly summertimetraining sessions (June to September).

Most groups call for an initial proba-tionary period, often designated asone year, during which the new mem-ber must complete a specified levelor a designated number of hours oftraining. Members usually must havecompleted an initial probationaryperiod, and all specified training, andmust have passed written and oralexaminations in specified areas inorder to be permitted to participatein ride-along programs or respond tofire calls. Attendance is normallymandatory at training sessions, withalmost every group calling for discipli-nary action against members whomiss more than a few sessions.

Some youth organizations' mem-bers are permitted or even requiredto attend training drills with the spon-soring fire department. Some excep-tions to this include exemptions dur-ing school hours or while school is insession; one group prohibits youthparticipation in training or drills dur-ing periods of school midterm andfinal exams. Certain kinds of trainingare also prohibited for most youthmembers, including involvement with


large training fires, hazardous materi-als, large hoselines and high ladders.One youth organization states that itwill grant credit for training to thosemembers who are also on volunteerstatus with area volunteer fire depart-ments.

The quality of training is held inhigh regard by the youth organiza-tions. Most of the surveyed groupsspecify in their bylaws or regulationsthat all training for the youth be con-ducted by state-certified fire instruc-tors, and that all youth training isaligned with NFPA Firefighter I, or isbased on standardized manuals fromthe International Fire Service TrainingAssociation.

The range of training offered tojunior fire department membersextends from communication to haz-ardous materials and emergencymedical training. One group's trainingis outlined at three levels:

1. orientation, safety, apparatusintroduction, fire science, communi-cations;

2. tools and equipment, hoselinesand appliances, hoselays, ladders,ropes and knots, first aid and rescue,water supply; and

3. a practical exam on all training.

Additional training is often providedby, or held at, regional and state fireschools. Some groups offer such spe-cialized training as preparation toassist the region's medical centerflight service, search and rescue,high-angle rope rescue, river rescue,mass casualty rescue, trench rescue,heavy rescue and air crash rescue,

and dive and ice rescue, to name afew.

The training outline shown belowillustrates a typical and moderatelycomprehensive approach to trainingfor a fire department youth organiza-tion. Those who establish a juniorfirefighter program must direct seri-ous attention to developing a soundtraining program that is supportedthoroughly by carefully written, mea-surable objectives and is evaluatedand assessed by fair and realistic test-ing.

Training outline, Adapted fromExplorer Post #14, Pleasant ValleyVolunteer Fire Department, Fort Mill,South Carolina

Class I: Introductory level, primari-ly concerned with acquainting thenew Explorer with fire service opera-tions. The training, testing andissuance of the Class I identificationcard is done at the station level bythe Post Advisor.

l. Orientation and administration

• Explorer bylaws, rules and regulations

• Basic duties of a junior firefighter

• The need for fire prevention

• Departmental organizational structure

2. Safety• General safety precautions

• The role of the safety officer

• The need for obedience

• The importance of training

• Defining responsibility


3. Apparatus orientation

4. Fire science

• The fundamentals of combustion

• Methods of heat transfer

• Causes of fire

• Uses of fire extinguishers

5. Communications

• Basic radio codes

• Basic fire department terminology

Class II: Relates primarily to thebasic manipulative methods andtechniques used by firefighters whenperforming emergency work. It alsodeals with basic fire department ter-minology. The training and testing willbe performed by the company officerat the station level under the supervi-sion of the training officer assigned tothe Explorer program.

1. Tools and equipment

• Basic fire department equipment

• Inspection of fire department equipment

2. Hoselines and appliances

• Types of hoses, nozzles and fittings

• Connecting nozzles and hard suction

• Operating nozzles and appliances

• Rolling and unrolling hose

• Pulling a hose load

• Types of hose and how to load

3. Breathing apparatus

• Types of breathing apparatus

• Inspecting and caring for breathing apparatus

• Using safety lines

4. Water systems

• Operating hydrants

• Conducting flow tests

• Drafting ponds and drop tanks

5. First aid

• Basic life support

• Standard first aid

6. Fire prevention

• Inspection

• Public education

7. Natural disasters and severe weather

• Tornados

• Hurricanes

• Floods and flash flooding

• Lightning

• Snow and ice

Optional: First responder and autoextrication training

Class III: This deals with advancedmanipulative skills, techniques, andterminology a trained Explorer wouldneed to know to be a member of anin-service engine company. The train-ing is given at the local level and issupplemented with whatever specialdrills and classes the Explorer canattend. The testing for Class III isdone by the training officer assignedto the Explorer program. It consists ofa two-hour written examination.


Upon successfully completing theexam with a score of 70 percent orbetter, a Class III identification cardand certificate are issued by the train-ing officer, providing all other require-ments have been met.

1. Handling charged lines and appliances

• Operating nozzles

• Operating master streams

• Types of fire streams

• Pump operations

2. Fire department records and forms

• Training records

• Maintenance records

• Hose, hydrant and water point records

• Self-contained breathing apparatus records

• Inspection and forms

3. Extinguishing techniques

• Methods of attacking structure fires

• Wildland fires

• Vehicle fires

• Foam

Safety

Safety is the key factor in all activi-ties. Any fire department connectedactivity has the potential for danger,and involving young people in suchactivities requires extreme caution. Inrecognition of this reality, safety is akey part of virtually every program; afew groups even have separate youthsafety officers.

Most groups' documentation statesclearly that all safety equipment mustmeet fire department standards; sev-eral specifically reference compliancewith NFPA Standard 1500. Virtuallyevery group's regulations require thatall safety equipment be kept cleanand maintained properly by the youthmembers and be used and wornproperly.

The Fire Explorer Safety Policy,shown below has been adopted ver-batim by many youth organizations. Itwas developed initially by the OrangeCounty [California] Fire, Forestry andRescue Department and wasendorsed subsequently by theInternational Association of FireChiefs and adopted as an officialExplorer safety policy in 1976.

• Explorers must be supervised closely when involved in emergency work.

• Explorers must be equipped with safety gear that meets department standards and is appropriate to the job to be done.


• Explorers must not be used to make up personnel shortages.

• Explorers may be mobilized by the department when needed for emergencies. An Explorer who goes to an incident scene on his/her own does so as a citizen.

• Only qualified, trained (Class III) Explorers are allowed to respond to alarms in fire department vehicles. They must be seated andwear safety belts. NO riding on tailboards.

• Trained, qualified and supervised Explorers can be assigned to fire and rescue companies.

• Explorers may not drive fire apparatus.

• Explorers must conform to the rules and regulations of the sponsoring department.

• Explorers may train in above ground operations, provided there are two qualified instructors who are constantly in attendance, one on the ground and one above ground; Explorers may not use high ladders.

• Explorers may not work with hose lines more than 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

• Explorers may not go near large training fires in buildings or oil pits, metal fires, and dangerous chemicals.

• Any registered Explorer may ride with fire prevention officers and battalion chiefs with their approval. If emergency response must be made while the Explorer

is riding along, he/she may respond with the officer.

• Trained Explorers may be assigned to engine, truck, and rescue companies with the approval of the company officer and may respond on emergency calls.

• On fire alarms, the trained Explorer may make hydrant connections, accompany members in extinguishment operations as back up personnel, do salvage work, overhaul, ventilate buildings and perform other related work under supervision; at no time is an Explorer permitted to advance into a burning building.

• Explorers are not to be involved inthe actual control of wildland fires,but may take hose to the water connection on hose lays where there is no hazard involved;they may be involved in construct-ing a line around a fire that has been extinguished; and they may be in fire camp to assist where needed.

• Qualified Explorers may assist emergency medical and rescue crews; however, an Explorer must not be exposed to any hazard, such as violent patients, traffic hazards, or explosions.

From Explorer Fire Service Safety Policy Fire ExploringProgram Guide


Another critical safety issue in thisstressful age is the matter of keepingyouth safe from unscrupulous orunbalanced adults who prey on youngpeople. Many groups acknowledgethe need to protect both youth andadult advisors from any possibility forabuse or accusations of abuse.Several include statements concern-ing this issue in the constitution orother group documents. The policyshown in the accompanying box is asample that reflects the needs ofboth children and adults in maintain-ing a safe and worry-free environmentfor junior firefighter organizations.

Sample Youth Protection Policy

Fern Creek Fire DepartmentExplorer Post #710, Louisville,Kentucky

No form of child abuse will be toler-ated in the program and all steps willbe taken to remove any offendersfrom involvement with the program.This policy is intended to protectyouth members from abuse and toprotect adult leaders from becomingsuspects. This policy will be followedto the letter.

• Whenever possible, two-deep leadership will be provided for all activities involving members of the youth program.

• There will be no secret organizations within the post. All aspects of the Exploring program are open to observation by parents and leaders.

• All discipline will be of a constructive nature. No corporal punishment will be administered or tolerated.

• Initiation rituals are strictly prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations cannot be included as part of any Exploring activity.

• Anyone suspecting any form of abuse within the Exploring program is required to inform the local Exploring executive.

Rules, regulations, and discipline

The success of any organizationdepends on guidelines; without rules,regulations, and a code of discipline,anarchy rules. Young people needclear and consistent rules in all situa-tions. In a potentially hazardous envi-ronment in which young people areseeking to learn about the adultworld that awaits them, these guide-lines are especially important. At aminimum, even the most informaljunior firefighter organizations stateclearly in their guidelines that allyouth members must obey all ordersof the sponsoring fire department orof firefighters and fire officers. Somegroups simply reference rules andregulations of the senior fire


department; others have establishedtheir own individual sets of guide-lines.

In almost every organization, failureto abide by specified rules and regulations results in the loss of privi-leges, most notably, and probablymost meaningfully, the prohibition ofoffenders from participating in ride-along and emergency responseactivities. Most commonly, youthmembers can be suspended forneglect of duty, for "conduct unbecoming," or for violations of thegroup's rules and regulations.

In addition to requirements thatyouth members obey all orders of thesenior fire department commandstructure and demonstrate behaviorappropriate to a paramilitary organi-zation, other universal rules includeprohibitions on the use of alcohol orother drugs when in uniform or onfire department premises, and enter-ing the firehouse under the influenceof same. Smoking by youth memberson fire department property is gener-ally forbidden as well.

For those groups permitted to par-ticipate in emergency responses, spe-cific rules universally require that,when responding to fire calls, youngmembers obey all traffic laws and usethe most direct route. In most cases,the members are to report to the firestation, not directly to the emergencyscene. One group states that mem-bers can go straight to calls only ifthe call is between the member'shome and the fire station. Once onthe fire scene, virtually every group'srules forbid junior members to enter

a burning structure, although onejunior group actually performs as thesmall community's fire protectionforce when no other volunteers areavailable. Another common rulerequires members to keep their ownsafety equipment cleaned and main-tained regularly.

Another common category of rulesand regulations pertains to youngmembers' academic responsibilities.Many groups prohibit junior membersfrom being present in the firehouseduring school hours or after 9 p.m.on school nights. Several specify thatmembers' school grades must remainat or above average. One states thatmembers can request tutoringthrough the program in order to helpthem achieve and maintain adequateprogress.

Several groups specify that youngmembers are not permitted in theradio room or to use fire departmentradios or telephones. Others simplyspecify that junior members learnand use proper telephone and radioetiquette and terminology.

A few groups state clearly that nodiscrimination based on race, gender,national origin, religious creed, age,or physical handicap will not be toler-ated.

The sample rules and regulationsthat follow provide an overview of thescope of such documents.

Sample rules and regulations

Reservoir Fire Department JuniorDivision, Explorer Post #721,Brandon, Mississippi


I. Explorer's duties

• Explorers shall be under the immediate supervision of their company commander.

• Explorers shall extinguish fires and take proper precautions to prevent rekindle thereof, if directed to do so.

• Explorers shall respond with the units to all alarms and emergency calls and perform all duties required.

• Explorers shall keep the station and premises clean, neat, and in good order.

• Explorers shall keep apparatus, equipment, tools, and their uniforms in a clean and serviceable condition.

• Explorers shall perform related work as their superior officers might direct.

• Explorers shall familiarize themselves with, and be obedient to, the laws, rules and regulations,manual of operation, and orders affecting the operation of the fire department.

• Explorers shall attend all fires, rescues or other emergencies to which they might be assigned, detailed or summoned, and exert their greatest energy and best ability to perform their full duty under all circumstances.

• Explorers shall keep themselves in readiness to perform their duties and not absent themselves from duty or place of assignment without specific permission from the superior officer.

• Explorers shall report to their immediate superior officer the loss or recovery of any departmental badge, identification card, book or equipment.

• Explorers shall exercise precautionary measures to avoid injury to themselves and others while in performance of their duties.

• Explorers shall exercise due caution to avoid unnecessary damage to, or loss of, department property and report to their superior officer such loss or damage as soon as possible.

• Explorers shall be responsible for the safekeeping and proper care of all department property in their charge.

• Explorers shall accord obedience, respect and courtesy to all superior officers and those performing the duties of a higher rank.

• Explorers shall be courteous and respectful in their dealings with the public.

• Explorers shall notify their immediate superior officer, through the post secretary, of any inability to perform duty at the time required.

• Explorers shall immediately report to their immediate superior officer any accident, illness, or injury occurring to themselves while on duty, no matter how trivial.

• Explorers shall keep their persons, uniforms, beds and lockers in a neat and clean


condition. Persistence in uncleanliness or offensive habits will be just cause for disciplinary action.

• Explorers shall notify their immediate superior officer of all matters coming to their attention affecting the interests and welfare of the department.

• Explorers shall participate in drills and other department training activities as directed and shall perform related work as directed.

• Explorers shall drive in a safe manner when responding to an alarm in a private vehicle.

II. General conduct

• In matters of general conduct, members shall be governed by the ordinary and reasonable rules of behavior observed by law-abiding and self-respecting citizens and shall commit no act either on- or off-duty to bring reproach or discredit upon the department or its members.

• Members shall refrain from conducting themselves in a manner or be a party to any act which would tend to impair the good order and discipline of the department.

• In matters affecting the policy and practices of the department, members shall not give utterance by public speech or publication or take any similar action either directly or indirectly without first obtaining approval of the chief of the department.

• No information relative to the business affairs or policies of the department shall be furnished to any person or persons not connected therewith, except as authorized by the fire chief or his/her representative.

• Members shall not, while on- or off-duty, use the badge, uniform, or prestige of the fire department for personal advantage or gain.

• Members shall not lend their names, as members of the department, to any commercial or business enterprise, nor shall they approve the use of the name or prestige of the department for any such purpose.

• Members shall not receive or accept a reward, fee, or gift from any person for service incident to the performance of duty.

• Members shall not report for or be on duty while under the influence of any intoxicating liquor, drug or compound, nor absent themselves from duty or render themselves unfit to fully perform their duties for reasons attributable to or produced by indulgence in intoxicants or drugs.

• Members shall not have in their possession or partake of any intoxicating liquor, drug, or compound while on duty or in uniform.

• Members shall not bring or cause to be brought into quarters any intoxicating liquor, drug, or compound.


• Members shall not be party to any malicious gossip, report or activity which would tend to disrupt departmental morale or bring discredit to the department or any member thereof.

• Members shall not use obscene, uncivil, or loud and boisterous language at fires, in quarters or while engaged in games in which the department is represented.

• The falsification of records, the making of misleading entries or statements with the intent to deceive, or the willful mutilation of any useful department record, book, paper or document will be considered a serious offense.

• Members shall not loan, sell, give away or appropriate for their own use any public property, nor shall they pilfer or be guilty of theft at fires or elsewhere.

• Members shall not go off-duty before a scheduled change of shift unless properly relieved.

• Members shall not gamble in quarters, on details, or while on duty.

• Punctuality is required of all members. Failure to report for duty or place of assignment at the time specified will be considered cause for disciplinary action.

• Inefficiency or indifference of members in performance of their duties shall be sufficient cause for disciplinary action.

• All injuries, regardless of how minor or seemingly trivial, shall be

entered in the log book at the station to which the member is assigned.

• All members, when speaking to anofficer on duty, shall address the officer by title, such as "chief" or "captain." In the presence of the fire chief, all other chief officers shall be addressed using both title and surname, such as "chief Smith." The reference, "the chief," is reserved to mean only the chief of the fire department.

• All members shall take such care of their personal appearance to reflect credit upon the fire department, the fire service and themselves, and to engender the respect of the public. Clothing and hair shall be neat and clean, avoiding extremes in style. Hair shall be kept reasonably short and neatly dressed. Attitude, manner, and bearing should demonstrate courtesy and cooperation.

• Members shall not willfully disobey any lawful order issued by a superior officer, nor shall they speak disrespectfully of or to any superior officer.

• Members shall not discuss medical or fire calls with persons other than members of the department.

• Any violation of the provisions of the rules and regulations or orders of the department, or neglect or evasion of the duties prescribed, shall be subject to disciplinary action.


Disciplinary procedures for youthorganizations tend to mirror those ofthe sponsoring fire department.Designated procedures usually arespelled out in the bylaws or regula-tions, detailing the proper methodsfor lodging complaints, handlinginfractions and meting out punish-ment when appropriate. Lower-leveloffenses typically are handled by ver-bal correction or reprimand. Somegroups specify that serious casesinvolving expulsion or suspensionmust be based on a written charge,signed by the member making thecharge, read in open meeting, andreferred to senior advisors. A fewstate that a two-thirds vote of themembership is required for expul-sion, except on a third offense. Somegroups have established a youthboard of inquiry that considers all dis-ciplinary actions and operations; inthese cases, the board can suspend,dismiss, or vindicate. An adult advi-sor sometimes serves as an active ornon-voting member of such a com-mittee.

The following sample disciplinarypolicy represents a moderateapproach that would be solidly work-able, although a more extensive policy has been developed by someorganizations.

Sample SOP for disciplinaryaction

Fern Creek Fire DepartmentExplorer Post #710, Louisville,Kentucky

The purpose of this SOP is to out-line the disciplinary action that thispost will take in certain situations

warranting a disciplinary action. Thedisciplinary actions are as follows:

Verbal warning

• Definition: An advisor will talk to you about the complaint.

• Offenses: Any violation of the "Explorer Rules and Regulations" or failure to obey SOPs or verbal orders.

• Punishment: None.

Written warning

• Definition: You will be given a copy of the complaint and a work task or service hours.

• Offenses: Same as above, but forsubsequent or more serioussituations.

• Punishment: Any task or service hours the advisor deems worthy for the offense. If the offender is an officer, he or she may be removed from office.

Suspension

• Definition: You will be removed from duty and all post activities.

• Offenses: Same as above, but for subsequent or increasingly serioussituations.

• Punishment: You will not be permitted on fire department property for the period of one month.

Termination

• Definition: You will be asked to resign as an Explorer and return all equipment.


• Offenses: Same as above, but for subsequent or increasingly serious situations.

• Punishment: None.

If the member's record remainsclear for one year after disciplinaryaction, his or her record will becleared. Terminated members canapply for reconsideration after ninemonths of absence.

Summary

The key to establishing and organiz-ing a structure for a fire departmentyouth program is to think in amethodical way about what elementsare required in order to provide anappropriate framework for the organi-zation. The elements described inthis section are relatively comprehen-sive, though not necessarily exhaustive. Consider what kind oforganization you hope to create andbegin breaking down the concept inyour mind into the parts it willencompass.

It is also wise to establish contactswith those who are involved with sim-ilar programs in other communities,to discuss with them what they mightdo differently if they were startingover again, and to learn what pitfallsor problems they have encountered,how they handled them and, evenmore importantly, how they couldhave been avoided.

While it is feasible to revise andexpand the organizational structureand guidelines after the group isestablished and functioning, the moreyou can have in place at the outset,the more smoothly the group will

operate. While it is detailed and time-consuming work, planning is still fareasier than fixing.




Conclusions

Conclusions

Explorers can provide a wide rangeof concrete and personal benefits tofire departments. They can help withroutine duties, including publicfire/life safety education and otherprevention activities, ancillary func-tions on the emergency scene andother department activities. The program provides opportunities forcommunity and public relations, aswell as outlets for personal satisfac-tion for those adult members whochoose to work with the groups.

Last, but by no means least, ajunior group affiliated with a firedepartment can provide highly moti-vated and knowledgeable recruits forregular firefighter openings. Given theincreasingly challenging task ofrecruiting and retaining devoted volunteer firefighters in today's com-munities, this benefit might be seenas the driving consideration.

Among the junior fire departmentprograms researched for this book,the number of youth members whohave gone on to become adult fire-fighters ranged from one to 150. Twoprograms, only one year old, alreadyhad converted at least one formermember to adult/active firefighter sta-tus; two others, established morethan 25 years ago, have converted asmany as 100 members. One organi-zation has produced 46 volunteerand 22 career firefighters within itscounty since the program's establish-ment in the mid-1970s; anotherreports a 70 percent rate of conver-sion, while yet another averages fourconversions per year.

In one sponsoring fire department,half of all current fire officers andone-third of all current firefighterscame from the department's youthprogram. Another junior program hasproduced two fire chiefs for its spon-soring department.

Several youth organizations report-ed having "many" members go on tobecome firefighters, though the exactnumbers were not known. Almostevery program, no matter how new orhow small, has resulted in at leastsome, from a few to a dozen, mem-bers becoming firefighters.

The quality of these youth-to-adultconversion firefighters is high. Themotivation that developed among theyoungsters appears to have translatedinto deep motivation in an adult affili-ation with the fire department. Everyyouth program advisor who com-mented on this matter praised the dedication of the firefighters whocame into the department from theyouth programs. Several members ofyouth programs later won valor orlifesaving awards as adult firefighters.

While it will take time and energy tocreate and supervise a youth programsponsored by a fire department, hun-dreds of fire departments acrossNorth America appear to consider thepayoff to be worth the investment. Acarefully planned, well thought outand effectively managed juniorfire/emergency service program canhave big benefits for a fire depart-ment. It can contribute to communitysupport, to a sense of personalreward among adult members and toone of the most important "bottomlines" in the volunteer fire servicetoday ... membership numbers.



Appendices

Appendix I

A State-by-State Analysis ofChild Labor Laws

Introduction

The most important considerationsfor any organization in planning, initi-ating, and conducting a junior fire-fighter or cadet program are the legalrestrictions. Bringing youth into anenvironment which we, ourselves,acknowledge is hazardous (whetheror not those youth become involveddirectly in emergency operations)invites questions. It is vital that allpossible protections be afforded toyoung people involved in the pro-gram. It is equally vital that the orga-nization protect itself from liabilityand culpability regarding the activitiesof the youth members.

One critical first step in planning forsuch a program must be a thoroughinvestigation of local and state lawsand regulations guiding youth protec-tion. While this investigation must bedone during the process of establish-ing a program and reviewed regularlylater to ensure compliance with anychanges, the following state-by-statesummary of child labor laws will pro-vide a basis from which to begin, abasic awareness of the kinds ofissues to expect and an introductionto the concerns to be addressed.However, once again, we stress thatany fire or emergency service organi-zation considering a youth programmust obtain local legal counsel,including a thorough and up-to-datereview of current applicable laws, reg-ulations and guidelines.

Alabama

The Alabama Attorney General'soffice stated that Alabama does nothave any specific laws regardingjunior volunteer firefighters. However,under a recent Alabama law, nobodyless than 18 years of age can be afirefighter (career or volunteer). TheAlabama Child Labor Agency will notauthorize a work permit to anyoneless than the age of 18 to participateas a volunteer firefighter under anycircumstances. Interestingly, Alabamaprovides for non-mandatory certifica-tion of its volunteer firefighters. Inorder to participate in the certifica-tion process, the firefighter must beat least 19 years of age.

Suggested contacts:

Forestry Commission, 513 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-3631

Fire College & Personnel Commission2015 McFarland Boulevard EastTuscaloosa, Alabama 35405

Attorney General11 South Union StreetMontgomery, Alabama 36130

Alaska

Alaska does not specifically prohibitjunior volunteer firefighting. However,the statutes preclude anyone under14 from working and any individualunder 18 from engaging in a danger-ous occupation. Nonetheless, theseprohibitions alone seemingly do notpreclude a junior volunteer firefight-ing squad from being organized aslong as the junior firefighters do notengage in such hazardous activitiesas "active1” firefighting.


A fire department must obtain andkeep on file proof of the junior fire-fighter's age. Acceptable proofincludes a birth certificate, Bureau ofIndian Affairs census record, pass-port, driver's license, authenticatedschool record, federal age certificate,baptismal certificate, military depen-dent identification, family courtrecord or an affidavit of age from aphysician. Moreover, minors under 17must obtain written authorizationfrom the Commission of Labor priorto engaging in volunteer firefightingactivities.

Junior firefighters under the age of16 can participate in fire departmentactivities for no more than nine hoursof combined school attendance andwork per day. Additionally, thesejuniors can engage in such activitiesonly between the hours of 5 a.m.and 9 p.m. and cannot exceed 23hours per week. Moreover, all juniorfirefighters are limited to no morethan six days of fire department activ-ities per week.

Suggested contacts:

Lt. GovernorP.O. Box 110015Juneau, Alaska 99811-0015

Commission of LaborDepartment of LaborJuneau, Alaska 99811

Arizona

Arizona does not preclude minorsfrom engaging in junior volunteer fire-fighting activities. However, firedepartments should be aware of thetime restrictions placed on individu-als under the age of 16. To complywith Arizona's child labor law, fire

departments should limit their juniorfirefighters under the age of 16 to 40hours of firefighting activity per weekwhen school is not in session and 18hours per week when school is in ses-sion. Moreover, juniors are limitedseven days per week of participationwhen school is not in session andthree days per week when school isin session. Finally, these individualscannot engage in such activitiesbetween the hours of 9:30 p.m. and6 a.m. on school nights and between11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on nights preced-ing a day when school is not in session.

Additionally, although there are nodirect prohibitions against junior volunteer firefighting, all minors areprecluded from driving apparatus,engaging in dangerous activities,operating power-driven metal shear-ing machines and saws, and workingon roofs and in confined spaces.

Suggested contact:

Industrial Commission1601 West JeffersonPhoenix, Arizona 85005

Arkansas

The Arkansas Attorney General'soffice states that active firefighting isdangerous, and minors under the ageof 16 cannot be permitted to work inany such activity. However, it is possi-ble for minors under the age of 16 tobe used in non-dangerous positionswithin a volunteer fire department.The office comments that these factu-al questions are issues that must beresolved on a case-by-case basis.Therefore, each fire department mustmake a judgment as to what activitiesare dangerous.


As for time restrictions, childrenunder the age of 16 may engage indepartment activities for no morethan six days per week, 48 hours perweek and eight hours per day.Moreover, they cannot participatebefore 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (excepton nights preceding non-school days,during which the time limitation isextended until 9 p.m.). With respectto minors between 16 and 18,although the prohibition against dan-ger to life and limb does not apply tothem, there is a separate child laborprovision which sets the hours thatthey may work. Accordingly, thosejunior firefighters can engage in firedepartment activities for no morethan six days per week, 54 hours perweek and 10 hours per day and notbefore 6 a.m. or after 11 p.m.(except that the limitation of 11 p.m.shall not apply to children under theage of 18 on nights preceding non-school days). Thus, with respect tominors between 16 and 18, thereappears to be no prohibitions con-cerning the activities in which theycan participate, but the maximumlawful work hours for these minorsmust be respected.

The attorney general's office sug-gests that fire departments desiringthe protection of a release require theminor's guardian to sign a release andindemnification agreement. An agree-ment signed by a guardian, as a gen-eral matter, should be admissible inany ensuing litigation. However, thesubstantive impact will be a determi-nation for the court.

There is one criminal statute whichmight have general applicability to a

fire department having junior fire-fighters. Arkansas Code, Annotated, S 5-27-204 defines the offense ofEndangering the Welfare of a Minor,Second Degree, as follows:

(a) A person commits the offenseof endangering the welfare of a minorin the second degree if he knowinglyengaged in conduct creating a sub-stantial risk of serious harm to thephysical or mental welfare of oneknown by the actor to be a minor.

Criminal prosecution under thestatute would be against an individ-ual, for example, the department'schief, rather than the fire department.Also noteworthy, the criminal sanc-tions imposed by the Arkansas childlabor prohibitions would not, as ageneral matter, be applicable to atraining program as opposed to theactual employment of the minors.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General200 Tower Building323 Center StreetLittle Rock, Arkansas 72201-2610

California

The California Attorney General'soffice indicated that the use ofminors as volunteer firefighters is atthe discretion of the individual volun-teer fire department and is notexpressly regulated by statute. Infact, in a formal opinion, the attorneygeneral opined that employment by acounty fire warden of a 15-year-oldboy for fighting forest and brush firesas a fire suppression crewman didnot constitute a violation of childlabor law.


Time limitations expressed underthe law are eight hours per day and48 hours per week. Junior firefightersalso are precluded from engaging indepartment activities between thehours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. (unlessschool is not in session, during whichthe nighttime deadline is extended to12:30 a.m.).

Age certificates also should beobtained; they are available throughthe school district superintendentwith written permission from aguardian. The minimum requirementto obtain such a certificate is comple-tion of the 7th grade, which allowsminors between 14 and 15 to workoutside of school hours up to threehours per day. Minors 16 and overcan engage in department activitiesup to eight hours per day on non-school days, but never during schoolhours, unless in a career explorationprogram. Fourteen- and 15-year-oldscan participate no more than 18hours per week, unless they too arein a career exploration programwhich allows them to participate upto 23 hours per week. However, ingeneral, minors cannot engage injunior firefighting activities for morethan four hours per day while schoolis in session.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General110 West A Street, Suite 1100San Diego, California 92101.

Colorado

Colorado does not statutorily pro-hibit minors from becoming juniorvolunteer firefighters. Furthermore,because a junior volunteer firefighter

does not receive compensation forparticipating in department activities,the state's child labor law does notapply, although a general prohibitionexists on minors under 14 fromengaging in any such activity.

Nevertheless, fire departmentsshould require each junior firefighterto obtain an age certificate fromhis/her school district superinten-dent. These permits can be obtainedby providing the superintendent withthe following proof of age: a birth cer-tificate, baptismal certificate, pass-port or, if none of these are available,then the child's guardian can appearwith him or her and take an oathdeclaring the child to be of a certainage.

Although the child labor law doesnot apply to junior volunteer firefight-ing programs, fire departmentsshould, in the best interest of thechild, be aware of the statutory timelimitations. As such, on school days,junior firefighters should not engagein firefighting activities during theschool day. However, after schoolhours, any junior under 16 may par-ticipate for six hours per day betweenthe hours of 5 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.,except on nights prior to non-schooldays. In no case should a minorengage in departmental activities formore than 40 hours per week or eighthours per day.

Suggested contact:

Fire Safety Advisory Board700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000Denver, Colorado 80215


Connecticut

Despite statutory restrictions pro-hibiting individuals under 18 years ofage from engaging in hazardous occu-pations, Connecticut has chosen notto regulate the activities of junior vol-unteer firefighters. As such, state reg-ulations do not contain provisionsconcerning minors. To the extent thatmunicipal volunteer fire departmentshave such members, their duties andresponsibilities may be determinedlocally.

Suggested contact:

Attorney GeneralMacKenzie Hall110 Sherman StreetHartford, Connecticut 06105-2294

Delaware

Delaware's child labor law does notapply to hazardous work performedby volunteers, in a volunteer firedepartment, who have completed, orare taking, a course of study relatingto firefighting and who are at least 14years of age. Volunteer fire depart-ments are, however, required toobtain and keep on file proofs of agefor all of its junior volunteer firefight-ers. These valid proofs include a certified copy of a birth certificate,baptismal certificate showing theminor's birth date, school record,passport, valid driver's license or anyother official government documentattesting to the minor's age.

The general time limits placed onminors under the age of 16 are: (1)no more than four hours of work perday while school is in session or eighthours per day on non-school days,

(2) no more than 18 hours per weekwhile school is in session or 40 hoursper week during school breaks, and(3) no work between the hours of 7p.m. and 7 a.m. (except from June 1through Labor Day, when the night-time deadline is extended to 9 p.m.).

Moreover, individuals under 18 can-not engage in more than 12 hours ofcombined school activities and workper day. Furthermore, those individu-als must be given at least eight con-secutive hours of non-work, non-school time each 24 hours and, dur-ing work-related activities, must beprovided with a one-half-hour breakevery five hours.

Suggested contact:

State Fire Prevention Commission1461 Chestnut Grove RoadDover, Delaware 19904

Florida

Florida's child labor law specificallyprecludes a minor under 18 years ofage from being a volunteer firefighter.However, the attorney general'soffice, as well as the state fire mar-shal, indicated that Florida's statutesdo not specifically preclude volunteerfire departments from using the ser-vices of junior volunteer firefighters.The fire marshal stated that Floridahas no regulatory authority over itsestimated 350 volunteer fire depart-ments and that some of those depart-ments do have junior units that arelimited in their scope of duties by theindividual departments. As such,Florida does permit the formation ofjunior volunteer firefighting pro-grams, but juniors are not permittedto engage in "active" firefighting.


For departments maintaining theseprograms, proof of age should bekept on file at the station in the formof a copy of the minor's birth certifi-cate, driver's license, age certificatefrom the school district, passport orvisa. Moreover, the departmentshould post, in a conspicuous place,a copy of applicable extracts of thechild labor law, including time restric-tions. Those restrictions are as fol-lows: Individuals 15 and under canparticipate in work-related activitiesbetween the hours of 7 a.m. and 7p.m. for no more than three hoursper day on school days (although dur-ing days preceding non-school days,the nighttime and hourly restrictionsare relaxed to 9 p.m. and eight hoursper day or 40 hours per week).

• Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can par-ticipate in fire department activitiesbetween the hours of 6:30 a.m. and11 p.m. for no more than eight hoursper day on school days and 30 hoursper week. Minors cannot attend activi-ties during school hours or for morethan six consecutive days per week.Moreover, every four hours, they mustbe provided with a 30-minuterest/meal break.

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal200 East Gaines StreetTallahassee, Florida 32399-0340

Georgia

Georgia law establishes minimumrequirements for all volunteer firedepartments operating in the state.Under that law, firefighters must be atleast 18 years of age. This preclusioncoincides with the state's child labor

law provision that no minor under 16can be permitted to work in any dan-gerous position.

For departments that maintain ajunior firefighter squad for activitiesnot related to active firefighting, thefollowing time restrictions should beobserved. Minors under 16 shouldnot participate in activities betweenthe hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. andduring school hours. After schoolhours, however, they should be limit-ed to four hours of activities per dayon school days and eight hours perday on days preceding non-schooldays, with a limit of 40 hours perweek. Employment certificates alsoshould be obtained to ensure propercompliance with the child labor law.These certificates are availablethrough the school district superin-tendent when the minor presents tothe superintendent a certified copy ofa birth certificate and a statementfrom the fire department indicating itsintent to permit the minor to partici-pate in a junior firefighter program.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General40 Capitol Square SWAtlanta, Georgia 30334-1300

Hawaii

The county fire chief has fullauthority and control over all volun-teer firefighters within a particularcounty. Therefore, a volunteer firedepartment should contact its respec-tive county fire chief prior to com-mencing a junior volunteer firefighterprogram or engaging the services ofsuch firefighters.


Hawaii's child labor law doesexclude from its enforcement anyminor employed by a nonprofit orga-nization. Nevertheless, the child laborlaw time restrictions are listed belowfor the general knowledge of firedepartment officials.

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds cannotengage in activities during schoolhours. Fourteen-, 15- and 16-year-olds cannot engage in activities whenlegally required to attend school.They are limited to no more than sixconsecutive days of work, 40 hoursper week and eight hours per day.They cannot participate in activitiesbefore 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (exceptbetween June 1 and Labor Day, whenthe time limits are extended to 6 a.m.and 9 p.m.). Most importantly, whenschool is in session, a minor's com-bined hours of work and schoolattendance cannot exceed 10 perday. Also, every five hours the minormust be given a 30-minute rest peri-od. Generally, an age certificate isrequired to be on file with theemployer to verify the child's age.

Suggested contact:

Director of Labor and IndustryHonolulu, Hawaii 96822

Idaho

The state does not regulate juniorfirefighters. However, local govern-ments do promulgate certain regula-tions pertaining to their respectivefire departments. As such, a firedepartment should contact its boardof commissioners or municipal solici-tor prior to engaging the services of ajunior volunteer firefighter.

The Boise City Fire Department, in

conjunction with the Boy Scouts ofAmerica, has developed a junior fire-fighter program. In that Explorer pro-gram, junior firefighters cannot driveapparatus, operate hydraulic equip-ment, climb ladders, engage in struc-tural firefighting or work near hazards. The department, however,does attempt to provide junior fire-fighters with as much practical experi-ence as possible within certain safetylimits. As such, juniors can assist inclean-up following an emergency call,ride on an apparatus after receiving arider's permit and hold pressurizedhoses. Juniors are required to attend50% of the fire department’s meet-ings, receive a rider's permit, ride for12 hours per month and maintain a Caverage in school. They are notrequired to obtain work permits.

Notwithstanding this Explorer pro-gram, generally no one under 14 canengage in any type of work activity.Individuals between 14 and 16 canwork up to 54 hours per week andnine hours per day and only betweenthe hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.Sixteen- and 17-year-olds cannotengage in work-related activities dur-ing school hours. The fire departmentshould maintain a record of thenames, ages and places of residencefor each minor.

Suggested contacts:

Attorney GeneralState House-Room 210P.O. Box 83720Boise, Idaho 83720-0010

Boise City Fire Department3705 Kinswood DriveBoise, Idaho 83704


Illinois

This state's child labor law generallyrestricts children under the age of 16from engaging in any work activity.However, the law does not specificallyprohibit junior volunteer firefighting.A municipality that maintains a full-time fire department under the direc-tion of a board of fire commissionersis authorized to conduct a firefightertraining program for persons at least16 years of age. The program mustbe conducted pursuant to the rulesprovided by the board of fire commis-sioners and in conjunction with thediversified occupational program ofthe local high school and within theIllinois state vocational educationalsystem. Further examination of thestatutes, however, has not revealedsimilar requirements for volunteerfire departments. Therefore, the deci-sion to institute a junior firefightertraining program in a volunteer firedepartment, and the extent to whicha junior volunteer firefighter would beallowed to engage in certain activi-ties, lies with the discretion of theofficers and members of the volun-teer fire department and the depart-ment's insurance carrier.

The attorney general's office indi-cated that a number of the childlabor law's provisions must be satis-fied when minors under 16 years ofage are permitted to engage in non-hazardous fire department activities.As such, time limitations and workpermits might be required for juniorvolunteer firefighters.

Time restrictions for individualsunder 16 are eight hours of activityper day for no more than six consecu-

tive days per week and 48 hours perweek when school is not in session or24 hours per week when school is insession. Also, those children cannotengage in activities from 7 p.m. until7 a.m. (except between June 1 andLabor Day, when the time is extendedto 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.). Most impor-tantly, however, they cannot engagein activities for more than three hourson school days and a combined totalof eight hours per day of work andschool attendance. Furthermore,every five hours, the minor must begiven a 30-minute rest period.

A volunteer fire department shouldpost an abstract of the child labor lawthat includes a list of prohibited activ-ities and hours that the minor is per-mitted to engage in non-hazardouswork-related activities. Theseabstracts are available through theIllinois Department of Labor.Moreover, the volunteer fire depart-ment should keep a register of all 14-to 16-year-old junior firefighters thatincludes each junior's name, age andresidential address.

Employment or age certificates alsoshould be kept on file at the fire station. Applications for these certifi-cates are available through the schooldistrict superintendent's office andmust be signed by the minor'sguardian, with a statement from thefire department attached setting forththe nature of the work and permissi-ble hours of participation. Along withthe application, the minor must produce proof of age, e.g., a birthcertificate, certificate of baptism orconfirmation, family Bible record,immigration certificate of arrival, life


insurance policy, or a signed state-ment from the child's physician stat-ing that the child has been examinedand appears to be of the required ageto participate in junior volunteer fire-fighting activities.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General500 South Second StreetSpringfield, Illinois 62706

Indiana

Minors may become volunteer fire-fighters. Indiana has a mandatorytraining curriculum that all firefightersmust undergo as a minimum for thefire service. Thus, before beingappointed or elected to membershipin a volunteer fire department, anyvolunteer firefighter must successful-ly complete those basic trainingrequirements. Although there is nominimum age requirement, before afirefighter may be certified at the nextlevel of training, the student must beat least 18 years of age. There are nospecific laws regulating junior volun-teer firefighters. However, the volun-teer fire department's insurance carri-er might place age and activity restric-tions on a junior firefighting program.Such a program is delegated locallyto the authority having jurisdictionover the department. As such, a vol-unteer fire department needs to con-tact its insurance company andmunicipal officers prior to engagingthe services of a junior firefighter todetermine permissible junior activi-ties.

Although there are no direct restric-tions placed on junior firefightersunder the child labor law, the follow-

ing time limitations are provided inthe best interests of the children.Minors between 14 and 16 canengage in activities for only threehours per school day and 18 hoursper school week. When school is notin session, they may participate inwork activities for eight hours per dayand 40 hours per week. Moreover,they can work only between thehours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (exceptbetween June 1 and Labor Day, whenthe nighttime restriction is extendedto 9 p.m.). Generally, 16- and 17-year-olds can work up to eight hoursper day, 40 hours per week and sixdays per week. They cannot workbefore 6 a.m.; however, they canwork until 10 p.m. on nights that arefollowed by a school day or until mid-night on other days if written permis-sion is given by the minor's guardianto the fire department. With such per-mission, a 16- or 17-year-old canwork up to nine hours per day and 48hours per week during school vaca-tions. Furthermore, a 17-year-old canwork until 11:30 p.m. on a schoolnight or later, if permission is givenby the guardian, but he or she cannever work for two consecutive dayspast 11:30 p.m.

Suggested contacts:

Public Safety Training InstituteIndiana Government Center South402 West Washington StreetRoom 241Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-3402

Attorney GeneralIndiana Government Center SouthFifth Floor402 West Washington StreetIndianapolis, Indiana 46204-2770


Iowa

Iowa does not regulate volunteerfirefighting based upon age. In fact,the child labor law specifically statesthat the law does not prohibit any vol-unteer work for nonprofit organiza-tions, for example, fire departments.Generally, however, nobody less than14 can engage in any such activity. Asfor hours of participation, childrenless than 16 cannot engage in work-related activities with or without com-pensation before 7 a.m. or after 7p.m. (except between June 1 andLabor Day, when that time period isextended to 9 p.m.). Moreover, theyare precluded from participating formore than eight hours per day and 40hours per week during school vaca-tions or more than four hours per dayand 28 hours per week when schoolis in session. Furthermore, no personunder the age of 16 is permitted toengage in department activitiesunless the volunteer fire departmentreceives and keeps on file a work per-mit and a list of names and ages ofall junior firefighters under 16. (Agecertificates also can be obtained for16- and 17-year-olds upon request ofthe volunteer fire department.)

Work permits and age certificatesare available through the school dis-trict superintendent's office with (1) awritten notice from the volunteer firedepartment that describes the workto be performed and (2) evidence ofage. Such evidence includes a certi-fied copy of a birth certificate, pass-port, certified copy of a baptismalcertificate showing the date and placeof birth and the place of baptism, ora certificate signed by a physician cer-

tifying that, in his or her opinion, theminor is at least 14 years of age.

Suggested contacts:

Attorney General, Hoover Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319;

Employment Services, Division of Labor, 1000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Kansas

Two primary laws are applicable toKansas' junior firefighters.

First, the child labor law precludesanyone under the age of 18 fromengaging in any trade which is dan-gerous to the welfare of that minor.Second, under the criminal code, thecrime of endangering a child ariseswhen an individual places a minor inan endangering situation. In Kansas,no cases have arisen dealing withthese statutory sections as they relateto junior firefighting programs.However, the state fire marshal'sdepartment has opined that thesesections only limit what minors areable to do at a fire scene. As such,junior volunteer firefighters cannotactually assist in fighting fires.However, the statutes do permit aprogram that would allow theseyoung people to roll hoses after afire, clean equipment and participatein other activities that are not directlyassociated with the inherently danger-ous fire suppression.

Junior volunteer firefighting activi-ties are not specifically exemptedfrom the time restrictions createdunder the child labor law. Under that


law, an individual under the age of 16can work between 7 a.m. and 10p.m. (except on evenings that do notprecede a school day). They also areprecluded from working more thaneight hours per day and 40 hours perweek. Moreover, each junior firefight-er must obtain a work permit that iskept on file with the volunteer firedepartment. Work permits are avail-able through the school districtsuperintendent with a written state-ment signed by the volunteer firedepartment's fire chief stating theintended work activities, a schoolrecord signed by the school principaland evidence of age. Finally, the vol-unteer fire department must post themaximum number of hours that itsjunior firefighters can engage in work-related activities.

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal's Department700 Jackson, Suite 600Topeka, Kansas 66603-3714

Kentucky

No child under the age of 18 canwork in any hazardous environment.However, Kentucky's statutes do notspecifically prohibit junior volunteerfirefighting. Therefore, if a fire depart-ment maintains a junior firefighterprogram, then the fire departmentmust delegate those individuals tonon-hazardous activities. Moreover,no child less than 14 can workexcept in connection with an employ-ment program supervised and spon-sored by the school district andapproved by the Department ofEducation.

Junior volunteer firefighters are pre-cluded from working during schoolhours. Additionally, the volunteer firedepartment can request that thejunior firefighters obtain age certifi-cates from their school district super-intendent. Moreover, the departmentmust keep a register of the names,ages, addresses and hours of partici-pation for each junior firefighter andpost an abstract of child labor lawprovisions, including a list of prohibit-ed work activities.

Suggested contact:

Attorney GeneralP.O. Box 2000Frankfort, Kentucky 40602-2000

Louisiana

Under Louisiana's child labor law,no minor can work in a hazardous orinjurious position. However, thestatute does not go so far as to pre-clude participation in a junior fire-fighting program that does notinclude active hazardous firefighting.Nevertheless, the law seeminglyrestricts any child under the age of14 from being engaged in any suchprogram.

Children ages 14 to 15 can partici-pate only in work-related activitiesafter school hours and during non-school days. They are restricted fur-ther by limiting their work activities toeight hours per day and 40 hours perweek and to no more than six con-secutive days per week. Furthermore,when school is in session, those chil-dren can work for only three hoursper day and 18 hours per week. Theycannot work from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m.(except from June 1 through Labor


Day, when the nighttime limit isextended to 9 p.m.).

Employment certificates might alsobe necessary and should be kept onfile. A certificate is available throughthe school district superintendentwhen the minor presents to thesuperintendent (1) a statement fromthe volunteer fire department regard-ing the nature of the work activitiesand number of hours per week anddays the child will be permitted toengage in those activities and (2)proof of age. Such proof includes abirth certificate, baptismal certificateindicating the date of birth and placeof baptism, contemporaneous Biblerecord of birth, passport, life insur-ance policy that has been in effect forat least two years, school record, cur-rent Louisiana driver's license or, if noother proof is available, an affidavitsigned by the minor's guardian show-ing the name, date and place of birthof the minor.

Suggested contacts:

Secretary of LaborP.O. Box 94094Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804

Attorney GeneralP.O. Box 94005Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9005

Maine

Although Maine does not directlypreclude junior volunteer firefighting,no minor under 18 can engage in adangerous work-related activity.Therefore, a junior firefighting pro-gram must include only non-haz-ardous duties.

A fire department must maintain arecord of the names of each juniorfirefighter and the hours each fire-fighter may engage in departmentactivities. The department must posta printed abstract, available from theBureau of Labor Standards, of applic-able child labor law provisions. Thefire department should require juniorfirefighters less than 16 to obtainwork permits from their school dis-trict superintendents and keep thepermits on file at the fire station.Permits are issued when the minoroffers proof of age, e.g., a birth cer-tificate, to the superintendent, andthe minor has achieved satisfactoryacademic performance in school. (Ifthe junior volunteer firefighter pro-gram receives funding from theDepartment of Labor, the fire depart-ment might be exempt from requiringpermits if it has submitted a masterpermit to the Department of Labor.)

Hours of permissible participationfor junior firefighters under 16 areeight hours per day and 40 hours perweek when school is not in sessionand three hours per day and 18 hoursper week when school is in session.They can engage in activities onlybetween the hours of 7 a.m. and 7p.m. (except during the summer vaca-tion, when the nighttime limit isextended to 9 p.m.). Juniors 16 and17 can work up to 10 hours per dayand 50 hours per week during schoolvacations and four hours per day and20 hours per week when school is insession (except for days preceding aschool holiday, during which the 16-or 17-year-old can work for eighthours per day, up to 28 hours perweek). All juniors, however, are pre-


cluded from participating in suchactivity during school hours unlessthey have received permission fromschool officials.

Suggested contacts:

Attorney GeneralState House Station 6Augusta, Maine 04333

Department of Labor20 Union StreetAugusta, Maine 04330

Maryland

Maryland's child labor law does notapply to unpaid volunteer work in anonprofit organization, for example, avolunteer fire department, if theminor's guardian consents in writingand the minor is at least 16 years oldand has completed, or is taking, acourse of study in firefighting. Thestate fire marshal indicated that somefire departments with junior volunteerfirefighter programs include young-sters under the age of 16 who per-form routine non-hazardous chores atfire scenes. For instance, in OceanCity, the junior volunteer fire fightersmay stay overnight at the fire stationand are driven to the scene if there isa fire. They do not ride on fire appa-ratus and do not perform firefightingfunctions. They may engage in suchduties as carrying equipment fromthe apparatus to the firefighters orpicking up hose after the fire is extin-guished.

The Maryland Fire and RescueInstitute (MFRI), which is part of theUniversity of Maryland at CollegePark, provides education and trainingfor volunteer fire fighters throughoutthe state. The minimum age for those

undergoing training at MFRI is 16years old. Moreover, the MarylandState Firemen's Association, which isthe umbrella organization to which allvolunteer fire companies in Marylandbelong, has established 16 as theminimum age for volunteer fire fight-ers in the state.

Because those under the age of 16may not be volunteer fire fighters,they are precluded from active firefighting and driving emergency vehi-cles. Additionally, as a practical mat-ter and to avoid possible general lia-bility, fire departments should pre-clude their junior fire fighters fromresponding on emergency vehicles tofires.

Work permits are not required, andhours of participation are not regulat-ed. However, fire fighting activitiesmust occur outside of school hours.Each fire department is given discre-tion as to permissible hours of partic-ipation.

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal at (410) 764-4324Division of Labor and Industry (410) 333-4180

Attorney General 200 Saint Paul PlaceBaltimore, MD 21202-2021

Massachusetts

Massachusetts' child labor laws donot prohibit volunteer work for a vol-unteer fire department. However,minors under 16 in a junior firefighterprogram cannot operate or assist inoperating any of the followingmachinery:


1. band saws;

2. metal or paper cutting machines;

3. power punches or shears; and

4. dangerous electrical machinery.

Furthermore, they cannot work onscaffolding or in a confined space.Any minor under 18 cannot oil orclean hazardous machinery inmotion, perform truck repairs oroperate an apparatus.

Hourly restrictions for individuals16 and 17 are nine hours of work perday, 48 hours per week and six daysper week. Those under 16 cannotwork more than six days per week,48 hours per week and eight hoursper day. They are further restrictedfrom working before 6:30 a.m. orafter 7 p.m. (except from July 1through Labor Day, when the night-time restriction is extended to 9p.m.). Most importantly, however, nominor under the age of 16 can work,whether for wage or other compensa-tion, during school hours.

A fire department should post aprinted notice stating the hours thateach minor can engage in departmen-tal activities and maintain a list ofnames of each junior firefighter,along with the hours each individualhas participated in department activi-ties or emergency responses. A firedepartment should require eachjunior firefighter to obtain a work per-mit from the school district superin-tendent. A permit can be obtainedwhen the minor presents the follow-ing documentation to the superinten-dent: (1) a pledge signed by the firedepartment setting forth the charac-

ter of the work to be performed,number of permissible hours of par-ticipation, name and address of thefire department, and a promise fromthe department to return the permitwhen the junior firefighter leaves itsservice; (2) a school record obtainedfrom the school principal; (3) a certifi-cate from the minor's physician stat-ing that the minor is physically fit toengage in junior firefighting activities;and (4) evidence of age.

Evidence of age may include a birthcertificate, baptismal certificate withthe minor's age and date of baptism,passport or immigration record, reli-gious record of age, record of agegiven on the register of the school ifthe record is at least two years old, ora signed statement from an examin-ing physician stating that the physi-cian believes the minor to be at leastthe age required for the issuance ofthe permit. This physician's statementmust be accompanied by a statementfrom the minor's guardian containingthe minor's name, date and place ofbirth and residence, and that theguardian cannot produce any otherproof of age.

Suggested contact:

Department of Labor and Industry100 Cambridge StreetRoom 1107Boston, Massachusetts 02207

Michigan

Under Michigan's YouthEmployment Standards Act, no minormay engage or be permitted to workin, about or in connection with anoccupation which is hazardous orinjurious to the minor's health or per-


sonal well-being. However, althoughthe act seems to preclude active fire-fighting, it does not specifically pro-hibit the establishment of junior vol-unteer firefighting programs. In fact,the act does not apply to servicesperformed as members of a recog-nized youth-oriented organizationthat is engaged in citizenship andcharacter building. A junior volunteerfirefighting program might fall underthese parameters and should contactthe attorney general's office to see ifthis exemption applies to its juniorprogram.

General requirements for allemployment include posting anabstract of the Youth EmploymentStandards Act, which is availablethrough the Michigan Department ofLabor, and maintaining a time recordfor all minors.

Following the act's limitations, aminor under 16 may engage in work-related activities no more than sixdays per week, a weekly average ofeight hours per day (but never morethan 10 hours per day) and 48 hoursper week. When school is in session,the child may not engage in morethan 48 hours per week of work-relat-ed activities and school attendance.Furthermore, he or she may not workbetween 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sixteen-and 17-year-olds are similarly limitedin total hours of participation;however, they may engage in activi-ties starting at 6 a.m. and continuinguntil 10:30 p.m. (or until 11:30 p.m.during school vacations). Moreover,all work activities must be performedafter school hours.

Suggested contact:

Department of Labor, Wage and HourDivisionP.O. Box 30015Lansing, Michigan 48909.

Minnesota

Under Minnesota's statutes, amunicipality or independent nonprofitfirefighting corporation cannotemploy a minor as a volunteer fire-fighter or permit a minor to serve inany capacity performing any firefight-ing duties with a volunteer firedepartment. The attorney general'soffice stated that it was aware of oneprogram allowing youth the opportu-nity to learn about the work of fire-fighters through direct observationand training. In Minnesota, FireExplorers are not permitted to fightfires or go to fire calls. They do partic-ipate in some clean-up activities andtrain with selected equipment. Eachparticipant is charged a nominal feein order to help cover the liabilityinsurance needed for such a pro-gram.

There are issues specific to a FireExplorer program as a result of theprogram's affiliation with a volunteerfire department and the inherent hazards of firefighting. Before engag-ing in any fire training or direct opera-tional activity with the fire depart-ment, the explorer director and firedepartment officials should investi-gate the legalities of the explorers'participation in such activities. Thechild labor laws need to beaddressed and, perhaps, voluntarilyimplemented to protect the child


from any harm. The following is ageneric list of safety guidelines thatthe explorer program in Minnesotafollows:

• Explorers must be equipped withpersonal protective equipment that isappropriate for the activity being per-formed.

• Explorers may not substitute for trained firefighters.

• Explorers may be mobilized only as a post with required leadership.

• Explorers are not on call as individuals to fight fires at a fire scene.

• Explorers who ride on apparatus or other fire department vehicles must be seated and must wear safety belts.

• Explorers may not drive fire apparatus.

• Explorers may not climb aerial ladders.

• Explorers may not climb ground ladders that exceed 35 feet in length.

• Explorers may not enter, or perform ventilation procedures on, a burning structure.

• Explorers may not use di-electric tools or gloves on energized electrical equipment.

• Explorers may not operate hydraulic rescue tools or equipment.

• Explorers may not operate acetylene cutting torches.

• Explorers may not handle life nets.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General102 State CapitolSt. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1002

Mr. John Heil, Boy Scouts of America,at (612) 224-1892, ext. 132

Mississippi

The attorney general's office isaware of no statutes or regulationsconcerning junior volunteer firefight-ers for Mississippi. However, the childlabor law provides that for individuals14 through 16 years of age, theemployer must obtain an affidavitfrom the child's guardian and a certifi-cate from the school district superin-tendent stating the minor's place anddate of birth, the last school attendedby the child, his or her grade ofstudy, name of the school he or sheis attending presently and the nameof a teacher in charge of supervisingthe minor's school work.

Generally, a child between the agesof 14 and 16 can engage in work-related activities up to eight hours perday and 44 hours per week, but notbetween the hours of 7 p.m. and 6p.m.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General450 High StreetP.O. Box 220Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0220

Missouri

Missouri's child labor law does notspecifically prohibit junior volunteerfirefighting. However, fire depart-ments should be aware of the generallimitations placed upon minors.


The law precludes any minor underthe age of 14 from working at anytime. For individuals 14 through 16years of age, a work permit isrequired and must be kept on filewith the employer during the schoolterm. Permits can be obtainedthrough the school district superin-tendent with (1) written consent fromthe minor's guardian, (2) a statementfrom the employer regarding its intentto employ the minor, the hours ofwork allowed and the nature of theemployment, (3) proof of age, e.g., abirth certificate, (4) a physician's cer-tificate that the minor is physically fitto engage in the employment withoutharming himself, and (5) a certificatefrom the school principal showing theminor's academic grades.

The hours of permissible participa-tion under the child labor law forminors under 16 are no more thaneight hours of work per day and 40hours per week. The minor cannotengage in activities prior to 7 a.m. orafter 10 p.m. (except during theschool term, when the nighttimerestriction is shortened to 7 p.m. ondays immediately preceding dayswhen school is in session).

The law precludes individuals underthe age of 16 from engaging in thefollowing activities: operating powerdriven machinery; oiling, cleaning,maintaining and washing machinery;climbing ladders and scaffolding;using flares; and operating motorvehicles.

Suggested contact:

Attorney GeneralP.O. Box 899Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

Montana

The Montana Child Labor StandardsAct does not specifically preclude theformation of a junior volunteer fire-fighting program. In fact, if the pro-gram is approved by the Departmentof Labor or Office of PublicInstruction as a "career explorationprogram," or is considered a commu-nity service, then the fire departmentis not required to follow the act's pro-hibitions regarding hours of work.

There is, however, a blanket protec-tion against using the services of anyminor under the age of 14.Furthermore, 14- and 15-year-old chil-dren are not permitted on ladders orscaffolding and minors from 14through 17 cannot operate power-dri-ven, metal-forming, punching andshearing machines or operate circu-lar/band saws.

Fourteen- and 15-year-old minorsare limited to working between thehours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (exceptduring the period between June 1and Labor Day, when the nighttimerestriction is extended to 9 p.m.).Those children are also limited to nomore than three hours of work perschool day and 18 hours per schoolweek. When school is not in session,however, they may participate inwork-related activities up to eighthours a day and 40 hours a week. Asmentioned above, if the junior volun-teer firefighting program is consid-ered a "career exploration program,"then the junior firefighters may partic-ipate in fire department activities upto 23 hours per week.


Suggested contacts:

Fire Services Training School2100 16th Avenue SouthGreat Falls, Montana 59405

Montana Volunteer FirefightersAssociation424 King's WayKalispell, Montana 59901

Attorney General215 North SandersP.O. Box 201401Helena, Montana 59620-1401

Nebraska

Although the state's child labor lawdoes not specifically prohibit juniorvolunteer firefighting activities, chil-dren under the age of 16 are prohibit-ed from engaging in any activity thatis dangerous to life or limb, or inwhich the minor's health might beinjured. Moreover, because the childlabor law would not be enforcedagainst volunteer fire departmentsusing minors 16 and over, a firedepartment does not need to obtainan employment certificate for itsjunior firefighters. In addition, the firedepartment does not need to followthe mandated time restrictions.However, for the general awarenessof fire department officials, theminors are limited generally to work-ing 48 hours per week and eighthours per day and only between thehours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Suggested contacts:

Attorney General2115 State Capitol BuildingLincoln, Nebraska 68509-8920

Secretary of StateSuite 2300, Capitol BuildingLincoln, Nebraska 68509-4608

Department of LaborDivision of Child Labor at (402) 595-3997

Nevada

In Nevada, a minor cannot work inconnection with activities declared bythe labor commissioner to be danger-ous to the minor's life. However,under a conscription law regardingthe assistance of individuals in extin-guishing brush or forest fires, anyindividual called upon must be atleast 16 years of age. Moreover, tobecome certified as a first responderor attendant, the firefighter must beat least 18 years old. Furthermore,there is a general prohibition againstworking for any individual under theage of 14. Therefore, it appears thatactive firefighting can be performedonly by individuals 16 and over.However, 14- and 15-year-olds mayparticipate in non-hazardous fire-house activities up to 18 hours perweek and eight hours per day.

Nevada might demand proof of agefrom the minors working in the fire-house. As such, a fire departmentshould require each junior firefighterto submit proof of age, e.g., a birthcertificate, and keep a copy of thatrecord on file at the fire station.

Suggested contacts:

Attorney GeneralCapitol ComplexCarson City, Nevada 89710


Labor CommissionerCapitol ComplexCarson City, Nevada 89710

Department of Education700 East 5th StreetCarson City, Nevada 89710

New Hampshire

New Hampshire's Department ofLabor has enacted regulations specifi-cally relating to junior volunteer fire-fighting. Under those regulations, noyouth under the age of 16 can partici-pate in firefighting activities. Firedepartments are required to follow allfederal orders promulgated under theFair Labor Standards Act and FederalOrder No. 2, which limits youthemployment in motor vehicle opera-tions. (These directives are availablethrough the New HampshireDepartment of Labor.)

Junior firefighters must be super-vised at all times by a person trainedin firefighting, both during trainingactivities and at the scene of a fire.The supervisor can be either thedepartment chief or his authorizeddesignee. Most importantly, the juniorfirefighters cannot engage in any fire department activities prior to com-pleting a firefighting training course.

At a minimum, the initial coursemust entail six hours of instruction insafety and fire training, including:

(1) objectives of fire control; (2)personal protection and safety; (3)fire behavior and classification of fire;(4) methods of extinguishment; (5)proper use of hand tools and knowl-edge of fire streams; (6) use of communications equipment; and (7) proper use of fire extinguishers.

Initial training qualifies a junior fire-fighter to perform non-hazardous fire-fighting duties, for example, scoutingon the ground, fire line fighting, mop-ping up and using such non-motor-ized equipment as back pumps, handtools, hoses and radio equipment.This training, however, does not qual-ify a youth to perform hazardousduties, for example, the operation ofmotorized equipment, includingmotor vehicles, bulldozers, tractorsand pumps, or to serve as a trafficdirector.

For as long as a youth remains byage, subject to these rules, advancedtraining shall be the Firefighters LevelI training program as promulgated bythe New Hampshire Fire Standardsand Training Commission. Youthswho have completed this course witha 70 percent in practical and academ-ic testing shall be "certified" as juniorfirefighters.

A junior firefighter engaged in sup-port of firefighting shall carry an iden-tification card signifying completionof training with a 70 percent in practi-cal and academic testing and signedby the volunteer fire department'schief.

All fire departments must complywith the Youth Employment Lawregarding work permits and hours ofparticipation. Model releases andagreements pertaining to the childlabor law and the Department ofLabor regulations can be obtainedthrough the labor department.Permissible hours of participation areno more than six consecutive days,30 hours per school week and 48hours per week during the period


between June 1 and Labor Day. Thejunior firefighters are limited to nightactivities (between the hours of 8p.m. and 6 a.m.) no more than eighthours in any 24-hour period or morethan 48 hours per week. This night-time restriction, however, may berelaxed upon approval of the laborcommissioner. Finally, an employ-ment certificate can be obtained fromthe school principal with proof of ageand must be kept on file at the firestation. This certificate can berevoked by the principal if the minor'sacademic performance falls belowaverage.

Suggested contacts:

Department of Labor95 Pleasant StreetConcord, New Hampshire 03301

Attorney General33 Capitol StreetConcord, New Hampshire 03301-6397

New Jersey

The attorney general opined in1943 that the nature of work in fire-fighting auxiliary units is of such ahazardous character that it definitelycomes within the prohibition of thechild labor law. However, the NewJersey child labor law does not pro-hibit minors who are at least 14 yearsof age from being volunteers. Moreimportantly, however, New Jersey hasprovided statutorily for the establish-ment of a "Junior Firemen's Auxiliary"in a volunteer fire department. Suchan auxiliary is created by resolutionof the local board of commissioners.Members of the auxiliary must be atleast 16 years of age and no olderthan 21 years of age. The auxiliary

members also must obtain permis-sion from their guardians in order tojoin. Such permission must be in writ-ing and acknowledged in the mannerprovided by law for deeds to realestate.

Prior to authorizing the establish-ment of any Junior Firemen'sAuxiliary, however, the municipality'sboard of commissioners must formu-late rules and regulations to governthe activities of the auxiliary. Therules and regulations must providefor the training of the auxiliary foreventual membership in a volunteerfire department. However, the rulesalso must preclude the junior fire-fighters from duties which wouldexpose them to the same degree ofhazard as a regular member of thevolunteer fire department.

The law prohibits junior firefightersfrom engaging in certain activitiesregardless of their volunteer status.Among the prohibitions which applyare the following:

1. No minor under 16 years of agecan work in, about or in connectionwith power-driven machinery, includ-ing fire trucks and ambulances.

2. No minor under 18 years of agecan work in, about or in connectionwith:

a. injurious quantities of toxic ornon-toxic dust, gases, vapors orfumes (meaning that minors cannotfight fires);

b. oiling, wiping or cleaning machin-ery in motion or assisting therein;

c. grinding, abrasive, polishing orbuffing machines;


d. operation or repair of elevatorsor other hoisting apparatus; and

e. any place where the heating,melting or heat treatment of metals iscarried on, including places wherewelding and cutting torches are beingused.

In addition, for general reference,the list below contains the agerequirements for various types ofequipment commonly used by firedepartments:

1. Oxygen: must be 16 to ride in anapparatus where an oxygen cylinderis present;

2. Suction Unit: must be 16 toeither train on or operate;

3. Porta Power: must be 16 toeither train on or operate;

4. Seat Belt Cutter: if the device isnot power-driven, may be 14 to trainon; if the device is power-driven,minor must be 16 to train on andoperate;

5. Axe: may train on at 14;

6. Air Chisel: may train on andoperate at 16;

7. Crow Bar: may train on at 14;

8. "Jaws of Life": must be 18;

9. "Come Along": must be 18;

10. Fire Extinguisher: because afire extinguisher is used to fight firesand minors under 18 are not permit-ted to fight a fire, the minimum agewould be 18;

11. Flares: may train on at 14 andbe at least 16 to use at the scene ofan emergency; and

12. Direct Traffic: must be 16.

The Office of Wage and HourCompliance, New Jersey Departmentof Labor, Division of Work PlaceStandards, will provide a list of theprohibited occupations upon request.Ask for Form MW 129:

Child Labor Law Abstract.

Because of the volunteer aspect ofjunior firefighting, the junior firefight-ers are not required to obtainemployment certificates, nor are theylimited in the amount of time theyspend in such activities.

Suggested contacts:

Department of Community AffairsDivision of Fire Safety-CN 809Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0809

Office of Wage and Hour ComplianceDepartment of LaborDivision of Work Place Standards N 389Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0389

Attorney GeneralHughes Justice Complex-CN 080Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0080

New Mexico

Some fire departments in NewMexico have junior volunteer firefight-er programs for individuals betweenthe ages of 16 and 18. The age of 16is used because this is the minimumage where an individual is eligible toparticipate in a volunteer firefightingprogram under New Mexico's childlabor laws. Because all juniors mustbe at least 16 years of age, labor per-mits are not required, and there areno statutory time restrictions placedon their junior firefighting activities.The final authority, however, on


whether a volunteer fire departmentcan form a junior program rests onthe local governing body, e.g., thecity council or county commission.Therefore, a volunteer fire depart-ment must contact its municipal offi-cials prior to engaging the services ofa junior firefighter. The actual permis-sible activities that these individualsmay participate in then are formulat-ed through a joint effort between thevolunteer fire department and munici-pal authority.

The state fire marshal indicated thathe has seen fire departments permitjunior firefighters to engage in the fol-lowing activities:

1. all department activities, includ-ing driving apparatus. (There is cur-rently a case in litigation because ofthis practice where a firefighter waskilled in a fire apparatus wreck whena junior volunteer firefighter was dri-ving the truck. As such, the state firemarshal strongly discourages thispractice.);

2. following training and certification as a firefighter, actualfirefighting under the direction of asenior firefighter or department officer;

3. assistance at non-emergency sit-uations; and

4. assistance at an emergency withlimited fireground activities.

Suggested contacts:

State Fire MarshalP.O. Drawer 1269Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-1269

Attorney GeneralP.O. Drawer 1508Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-1508

New York

Minors may become active volun-teer firefighters in New York. No lawspecifically sets an age limit.However, the Department of State isunaware of any fire department thatadmits members below the age of 16.In fact, New York's General MunicipalLaw authorizes fire departments toestablish youth programs to provideparticipants with the opportunity tobecome familiar with the programsand operations of a fire department.On occasion, younger teenagers aremembers of these programs, but theyare not full-fledged, active volunteerfirefighters. As such, working papersare not required, and there are nostatutory time limits placed on activi-ties.

Under the General Municipal Law, ajunior volunteer firefighting programmay be established only when autho-rized by the board of fire commis-sioners, village board of trustees orsimilar authorized town board. Eachvolunteer fire department establishesits own rules governing the youth pro-gram. However, those rules mustinclude provisions regarding the minimum and maximum ages for participation, the procedure for participation, removal or expulsion,residence and the adequate supervi-sion of program activities. All activities must be approved inadvance by the fire department'schief or his designee. No activitiesmay include emergency duties in


connection with fire department oper-ations or any other hazardous activi-ty. The New York Department of Staterecommends that volunteer firedepartments:

(1) obtain parental consent for eachjunior firefighter, (2) offer a proba-tionary term to membership thatextends to the child's 18th birthday,and (3) prohibit responding to alarmsduring school hours, driving appara-tus, interior structural firefighting andentering areas of the fire stationwhere alcohol is present. Moreover,the attorney general has opined thatminors to whom the compulsoryattendance provision of theEducation Law is applicable may notbe excused from such attendance toanswer fire alarms.

Junior volunteer firefighters are noteligible for any benefits provided bythe Volunteer Firefighters' BenefitLaw, but the individual volunteer firedepartments may purchase accidentinsurance to insure the juniorsagainst injury and death resultingfrom bodily injuries sustained in per-formance of approved activities. Inaddition, the department may pur-chase insurance to protect against lia-bility arising from approved activities.The insurance purchased may includemedical and hospital coverage.

Suggested contact:

Office of Fire Prevention and Control41 State StreetAlbany, New York 12231-0001

North Carolina

North Carolina's general statutes donot specifically regulate junior volunteer firefighting activities.

However, a general prohibition existsas to any work-related activities forchildren under 14. Some NorthCarolina fire departments do main-tain junior firefighting programs.Those departments generally requirea youth employment certificate for allof their juniors. Some of the depart-ments also follow the mandated timerestrictions promulgated under thestate's child labor act.

During the school term, no work-related activities are allowed betweenthe hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.when there is school for the youthsthe next day. This provision, however,does not apply to 16- and 17-year-olds if the fire department receiveswritten approval for a time extensionfrom both the junior firefighter'sguardian and school principal.Fourteen- and 15-year-old juniors mayparticipate no more than three hoursper day when school is in session (upto 18 hours per week) and no morethan eight hours at other times (up to40 hours per week). During theschool term, they are precluded fromworking between the hours of 7 p.m.and 7 a.m. During the summer vacation, the nighttime restriction isrelaxed to 9 p.m. These time restric-tions, however, do not apply if thejunior firefighting program is part of acareer exploration program.Participation in such a program is per-mitted for up to 23 hours per week,whether school is in session or not.

Suggested contacts:

Department of InsuranceFire Rescue Division430 North Salisbury StreetP.O. Box 26387Raleigh, North Carolina 27611


Attorney GeneralP.O. Box 629Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-0629

North Dakota

North Dakota has no statutesspecifically relating to junior volun-teer firefighting. Whether a volunteerfire department in the state will allowa person under the age of 18 years tobecome a member of that depart-ment is dependent upon the policiesadopted by that department.

The child labor law (which onlyapplies to individuals under the ageof 16) generally prohibits a minorunder 14 years of age from workingin any occupation except farm labor,domestic service or in the employ-ment of the minor's guardian. In addi-tion, North Dakota law restrictsminors 14 and 15 years of age fromworking in certain occupations involv-ing the use of power-driven machin-ery, certain businesses involving arisk of injury, and employment con-sidered dangerous to life or limb or inwhich health might be injured ormorals deprived.

The attorney general's office statedthat because junior volunteer fire-fighters do not receive payment fortheir services, the child labor lawmight not apply. However, the officeis unaware of any 14- or 15-year-oldswho are members of volunteer firedepartments.

Suggested contacts:

Attorney GeneralCapitol Tower-State Capitol600 East Boulevard AvenueBismarck, North Dakota 58505-0040

Fire MarshalNorthbrook Mall1929 North WashingtonBismarck, North Dakota 58501-1616

Ohio

The state's Department of IndustrialRelations opined that in adherence tothe federal laws prohibiting theemployment of minors in occupationsthat are hazardous or detrimental totheir health, firefighting activitiescould not be permissible under thoselaws. Nevertheless, junior volunteerfirefighting programs under whichminors provide more than incidentalassistance to firefighters in such tasksas cleaning fire equipment and rollingup hoses might not be consideredhazardous activities and, as such,appear to constitute programs for theprovision of services. Thus, thoseprograms come under the Ohio ChildLabor Law. However, a program thatis recreational or educational innature does not come under the lawif it does not involve an arrangementunder which minors work or provideservices.

Moreover, a junior firefighting pro-gram that involves the provision ofservices might be excluded fromchild labor law provisions if the pro-gram is a vocational programapproved by the Ohio Department ofEducation. Finally, if a junior firefighting program is established bya governmental entity or other non-profit organization and the junior fire-fighters receive no compensation fortheir services, the junior firefightersare not required to have work per-mits, but are, nonetheless, subject tothe other provisions of the child labor


law, including prohibitions againstengaging in hazardous activities.Therefore, volunteer fire departmentsmust discuss with the municipal solic-itor their positions regarding the pos-sible exempt status of their juniorfirefighter programs. They also mustcreate rules that protect those juniorsfrom the hazards of active firefightingand, if applicable, coincide with thegeneral provisions of the child laborlaw.

For programs falling under thescope of the child labor law, eachjunior firefighter under the age of 16must obtain a proper age and school-ing certificate, which must be kept onfile at the fire station. Juniors 16 andolder are required to provide the firedepartment with the following: (1)evidence of proof of age, and (2) astatement signed by the minor'sguardian consenting to the proposedemployment. The proof of age andsigned statement must be kept on fileat the fire station. In addition, the firedepartment must keep on the premis-es a complete list of all junior fire-fighters and a printed abstract, to befurnished by the Department ofIndustrial Relations, summarizing theprovisions of the child labor law.

A junior firefighter under 16 cannotparticipate in work-related activities:

• during school hours;

• before 7 a.m.;

• after 9 p.m. from the first day ofJune to the first day of September orduring any school holiday of fiveschool days or more duration, orafter 7 p.m. at any other time;

• for more than three hours a day inany school day;

• for more than 18 hours in anyweek while school is in session;

• for more than eight hours in anyday which is not a school day; or

• for more than 40 hours in anyweek that school is not in session.

Moreover, no minor less than 16years of age may engage in work-related activities for more than 40hours in any one week or duringschool hours unless the activities areincidental to a bona fide program ofvocational cooperative training, workstudy or other work-oriented pro-grams with the purposes of educatingstudents.

The program must meet standardsestablished by the state Board ofEducation.

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are notpermitted to engage in such workactivities:

(1) before 7 a.m. on any day thatschool is in session, except such per-son may be employed after 6 a.m. ifthe person was not employed after 8 p.m. the previous night, or

(2) after 11 p.m. on any night pre-ceding a day that school is in session.

Suggested contacts:

Department of Industrial Relations2323 West Fifth AvenueP.O. Box 825Columbus, Ohio 43216

Attorney GeneralState Office Tower30 East Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215-3428


Oklahoma

Oklahoma does not have any statu-tory authority relating to junior volun-teer firefighting programs. However,no individual under 16 is permittedto work as a firefighter. Because thechild labor law does not apply to indi-viduals 16 and over, there are norestrictions on the hours of participa-tion and work certification.

Suggested contacts:

State Fire Marshal4545 North Lincoln BoulevardSuite 280Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

Department of Labor4001 North Lincoln BoulevardOklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

Oregon

Emergency services are notdeemed employment in violation ofany laws of Oregon relating to laborby minors. This includes training asnecessary and proper to engage insuch activities. However, if minorsunder the age of 18 are used on aregular basis, then the junior firefight-ers should procure an employmentcertificate which should be kept onfile with the respective volunteer firedepartments. The volunteer firedepartments should maintain a listingof all junior firefighters in the depart-ment and post a printed notice stat-ing the maximum hours required inone week and each day for all of itsjunior volunteers.

The general hours of permissibleparticipation in work-related activitiesfor individuals between 14 and 16years of age are 10 hours of activity

per day up to six days per week.Those individuals are precluded fromworking between the hours of 6 p.m.and 7 a.m.

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal4760 Portland Road NESalem, Oregon 97305-1760

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has approximately81,000 firefighters, of which 67,000are volunteers. Of the common-wealth's 2,535 fire companies, 2,498are volunteer departments.Pennsylvania's General Assembly andDepartment of Labor have enactedlaws and regulations limiting a volun-teer fire department's use of juniorfirefighters. Volunteer fire depart-ments must abide by Pennsylvania'sChild Labor Law and Public SchoolCode when using junior firefighterseither in firefighting and rescue activi-ties or solely in training and workdetails.

All junior firefighters must be atleast 14 years of age. A fire depart-ment should make certain that theindividual is at least 14 by requestingthat the junior firefighter provide thefire department with a certified copyof his or her birth certificate. If a firedepartment mistakenly accepts anduses the service of a child under theage of 14, then the department hascommitted a negligent per se viola-tion of the law and might sufferpenalties accordingly.

Additionally, a volunteer fire depart-ment must obtain an employmentcertificate for each junior firefighter


prior to his or her participation indepartment activities. These certifi-cates are available through theadministrative offices of the localschool district. To procure a certifi-cate, the fire department must sub-mit a statement to the school officialin charge of issuing the employmentcertificate, stating that the depart-ment expects to accept the minor asa junior firefighter and explaining theduties that the junior firefighter willperform, including the number ofhours per day and per week thejunior firefighter will be permitted toengage in those activities.

The junior firefighter must providethe issuing agent with such proof ofage as a certified copy of their birthcertificate. If a birth certificate cannotbe obtained, the child labor law pro-vides for the following alternativeforms of proof of age:

• a notarized baptismal certificate showing the child's birth date;

• a passport showing the child's birth date;

• if a baptismal certificate or passport is unobtainable, then any other duly certified documentary record of age (other than a school record or an affidavit of age); or

• if any other documentary record cannot be obtained, then a signed statement of an examining physician, approved by the local school board, stating that the physician has physically examined the child and subsequently believes that the child has attained the age required by law for becoming a junior volunteer

firefighter. The statement must be accompanied by an affidavit, signed by the junior firefighter's legal guardian, certifying the child's name, birth date and place of birth, and that the guardian is unable to produce any other proof of age.

Within five days after receiving theemployment certificate, the firedepartment must acknowledge, inwriting, to the school official issuingthe certificate, that the departmentreceived the certificate. The firedepartment must keep the certificateon file and accessible to any autho-rized officer charged with enforcingthe child labor law. In fact, in addi-tion to maintaining a file of employ-ment certificates, the fire departmentis required, under the Public SchoolCode, to publicly post within the firestation a list of the department'sjunior firefighters, their ages, homeaddresses, legal guardians' names,the dates that the certificates wereissued, names of the persons issuingthe certificates and the hours a juniorfirefighter will participate in department activities.

If a junior firefighter quits or is dis-charged by the fire department, thefire department must mail the appropriate employment certificate tothe school official who issued the certificate within five days of thejunior firefighter's leaving from thedepartment. Additionally, if a juniorfirefighter is absent from scheduledtraining or other department activitiesfor a period of five days, then the firedepartment must immediately notify,in writing, the school official who


issued the employment certificate ofthat fact.

A fire department having junior vol-unteer firefighters as members must,twice a year, on January 1 and July 1,furnish the junior firefighter's schooldistrict superintendent with thename, age, home address and nameof the legal guardian of the junior fire-fighter. This report must be made onforms issued by the Secretary ofEducation available through theschool district or Department ofEducation.

Finally, the fire department mustpost in a conspicuous place withinthe fire station: (1) a list of the juniorfirefighters' names; (2) a schedule ofthe maximum daily hours each indi-vidual junior firefighter may partici-pate in department operations,including a weekly total and, whenappropriate, meal times; and, (3) aprinted abstract of the sections of thechild labor law relating to the maxi-mum allowable hours for participa-tion in department activities.

Junior firefighters may begin activi-ties after the scheduled starting timeand stop before the scheduled quit-ting time, but they cannot engage inany department operation outside ofthe times expressed in the schedule.Fire departments can obtain copies ofthe abstracts of the child labor lawand forms for complying with the lawfrom the Department of Labor andIndustry.

A fire department might be liablefor criminal penalties if it fails to: (1)obtain and file an employment certifi-

cate; (2) furnish the appropriate district superintendent with the infor-mation required by law; (3) publiclypost the statutorily mandated infor-mation; or (4) notify the properschool official when a junior firefight-er quits or is dismissed from the firedepartment or is absent from depart-mental activities for five days. A firedepartment violating the publicschool code is guilty of a misde-meanor and, upon conviction, mightbe fined between $10 and $25 forthe first offense.

A department that violates provi-sions of the child labor law might besentenced to pay a fine of $100 to$400 for the first offense.Furthermore, a department officer,who acts as the direct supervisor and,therefore, agent of the fire depart-ment over the activities of the juniorfirefighters, might be personally liablefor such violations and can undergo10 days of imprisonment in additionto the payment of fines. Moreover, ifa fire department's violation of thechild labor law results in an injury toa junior firefighter, the fire depart-ment must pay a 50 percent penaltyin addition to standard workers' com-pensation benefits and counsel feesto the junior firefighter.

After observing these preliminaryprocedures, fire departments mayaccept the certificated junior firefight-ers as members. However, the childlabor law and Department of Laborand Industry regulations limit juniorfirefighters' activities. Seventeen-year-olds who have completed a fire train-ing course (such as one provided by a


county fire school) may participate infirefighting activities while under thedirect supervision and control of thefire chief or an experienced line offi-cer over 21 years of age. Despite thisallowance, these junior volunteer fire-fighters are precluded from engagingin the following activities:

1. operating an aerial ladder, plat-form, hydraulic jack or high-pressurehose;

2. using rubber electrical gloves,insulated wire gloves, insulated wirecutters, life nets or acetylene cuttingtorches;

3. operating the pumps of any fireapparatus at the scene of a fire;

4. driving a fire apparatus or rescuevehicle;

5. entering a burning structure; and

6. oiling and cleaning machinery inmotion.

The juniors, however, may operatea high-pressure hose line and ascendladders during training activities.

Moreover, 17-year-old junior fire-fighters cannot participate in depart-ment activities, including emergencyresponses, on school days betweenthe hours of midnight and 6 a.m.However, on Friday and Saturdaynights and during school term vaca-tions, junior firefighters can respondto calls until 1 a.m. During summervacations, there are no night restric-tions, and these junior firefighterscan respond at any time, unless pre-cluded by the fire department's laborschedule or the child labor law's timelimitations. A junior firefighterresponding to a call before the night-

time deadline may continue to partici-pate in that call past that deadline,but the junior firefighter may notrespond to any new calls after thedeadline expires.

Additionally, 17-year-old junior fire-fighters can engage in firefightingactivities for no longer than eighthours a day. Every five hours, thejunior firefighter must take a 30-minute break. Finally, during theschool year, a 17-year-old junior fire-fighter is limited to 28 hours a weekof firefighting and department-relatedactivities. However, when school isnot in session, the junior firefightermay participate for a maximum of 44hours a week.

A 16-year-old junior volunteer fire-fighter who has successfully complet-ed a course in basic firefighting mayparticipate in department activitieswhile under the direct supervisionand control of the fire chief or anexperienced line officer over the ageof 21. A 16-year-old's activities are,however, limited to training and, atthe scene of a fire, to first aid, coffeewagon and food services, and clean-up efforts outside of the structureafter the fire has been declared bythe fire official in charge to be undercontrol. Laws dealing with times ofday and hours of response applyequally to 16-year-old junior firefight-ers as they do to 17-year-olds.

Activities of junior firefighters 14and 15 years of age are limited totraining and the cleaning and storingof equipment. These firefighters maynever ride an official vehicle to thescene of a fire or participate in anyfirefighting activities. Because a 14-or 15-year-old junior firefighter can-


not attend fire calls, time limitationsare not as important to remember asthey are for 17- and 16-year-old juniorfirefighters. However, during trainingactivities and cleaning and storingduties after an emergency operation,department officers must be cog-nizant of certain time restrictions.First, during the school year 14- and15-year-old junior firefighters canengage in approved activitiesbetween the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They can participate for onlyfour hours a day on a school day andeight hours on other days during theschool year. However, they can partic-ipate no more than 18 hours during aschool week. During summer vaca-tions, permissible participationextends from 7 a.m. through 10 p.m.As with all other junior firefighters,every five hours, 14- and 15-year-oldjunior firefighters must take a 30-minute break.

Inevitably, some junior firefighterswill incur injuries during fire depart-ment activities. A junior firefighter isentitled to workers' compensation ifinjured, and his family may collectdeath benefits if the junior firefighterdies while actively participating indepartment operations or while goingto or returning from a fire which thefire department has attended.Furthermore, if a junior firefighter'sinjury is attributable to a child laborlaw violation committed by the volun-teer fire department, then the juniorfirefighter is entitled to 150 percentof the amount of benefits that wouldbe payable by the fire department ifthe junior firefighter was employedlegally. The fire department, not theinsurance carrier, is obligated to pay

that 50 percent penalty. Moreover,the fire department might be requiredto pay the junior firefighter's attor-ney's fees, up to 20 percent of therecovery.

Departments should require ajunior firefighter to submit a consentform acknowledging: (1) the juniorfirefighter's awareness of the inherentdangers of fire and rescue operations;(2) the junior firefighter's entitlementto workers' compensation benefits ifinjured during firefighting activities;and (3) the department's provision tothe junior firefighter of informationconcerning applicable laws that limita junior firefighter's participation. Theconsent form should contain a clausereleasing the fire department from allclaims for injuries and damages sus-tained by the junior firefighter duringdepartment activities.

Although not barring a claim forworkers' compensation benefits, therelease informs the junior firefighterof the potential danger of fire depart-ment activities, which might result ininjuries that he or she cannot claimagainst the fire department. Thejunior firefighter, the firefighter's legalguardian and an authorized represen-tative of the department should signthe form. Consent forms familiarizeall parties with the risk involved infire department activities and discernthe method of receiving compensa-tion for injuries.

Suggested contacts:

Department of Education333 Market Street-Harristown 2Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17126-0333


Department of Labor and Industry1700 Labor and Industry BuildingHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

Rhode Island

Rhode Island's child labor law gen-erally prohibits individuals under theage of 16 from engaging in hazardouswork, but individuals 14 and overmay participate in a junior firefightingprogram that is administered as awork experience and career explo-ration program. Those individualsmight be required to obtain a speciallimited work permit from the localschool district.

The activities of junior firefightersare not regulated by statutes.However, all juniors are prohibitedfrom operating or assisting in operat-ing a circular saw or band saw andfrom adjusting, oiling or cleaningmachinery in motion.

Time restrictions under the childlabor law are as follows:

Children between the ages of 14and 16 can work only between thehours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. (exceptduring school vacations, when thenighttime limit is extended to 9 p.m.).They are also limited to 40 hours ofwork per week and eight hours perday. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds arelimited to 48 hours per week andnine hours per day. They are also lim-ited to working between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. on days pre-ceding a school day or 1:30 a.m. onnon-school days. During school vaca-tions, 16- and 17-year- olds may workwithout limitation as to total hours ina given week or day.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General72 Pine StreetProvidence, Rhode Island 02903

South Carolina

The state fire marshal indicatedthat he was unaware of any state lawsregarding junior volunteer firefighting.He stated that many fire departmentshave these junior programs, and theactivities vary with the individualdepartments. As for minimum agesfor participation, a volunteer firefight-er must be at least 16 to enter thefire academy program. Moreover, avolunteer fire department must followthe applicable child labor laws.Therefore, each junior firefightermust obtain an age certificate fromthe Department of Labor.

Interestingly, South Carolina'sEducation Code permits junior volunteer firefighters to possessemergency beepers while in school,indicating that students may respondto emergencies during school hours.Volunteer fire departments, however,should get the permission of the indi-vidual school prior to permitting theirjunior fire fighters to attend suchcalls.

Suggested contact:

Attorney GeneralRembert C. Dennis BuildingP.O. Box 11549Columbia, South Carolina 29211-1549

South Dakota

Children under the age of 16 can-not engage in any dangerous work-


related activity. However, the statestatutes do not specifically precludeparticipation in a junior volunteer fire-fighting program that entails non-haz-ardous duties. A fire department mustmaintain a list of all minors participat-ing in such a program and requirethat all participants obtain requiredwork permits. Hours of permissibleparticipation for junior firefightersunder 16 are four hours per schoolday, up to 20 hours per school weekor eight hours per day when school isnot in session, up to 40 hours perweek.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General's Office at (605)773-3215.

Tennessee

When asked, the attorney general'soffice replied that it was unaware ofany junior volunteer firefighting programs within the state. The StateCommission on Fire Fighting, howev-er, replied that any use of minorswould put a fire department at greatrisk for liability concerning minors'actions and for their safety in anyemergency situation. Nevertheless,some fire departments in Tennesseeuse "fire cadets" (junior firefighters)who perform various functions, typi-cally only non-emergency-relatedduties.

Tennessee's statutes do not directlypreclude junior volunteer firefighting,and the state's child labor law mightnot apply because of the volunteernature of the work. However, partici-pants in such a program cannot drivean apparatus, operate a band saw orcircular saw, or engage in hazardousactivities.

Although no specific law places agelimitations on volunteer firefighting,generally no individual less than 14can participate in any work-relatedactivities. (Interestingly, conscriptionfor fighting forest fires is limited tomales at least 18 years of age.)Moreover, the work performed by 14-and 15-year-olds cannot interfere witha minor's schooling, health or well-being.

The volunteer fire department main-taining a junior firefighter programshould keep time records for eachjunior and post a printed notice, fur-nished by the Department of Labor,stating the regulations governing thehours of permissible participationand prohibited activities. Fire depart-ments should also require proof ofage from all junior firefighters, forexample, a copy of a birth certificate,baptismal certificate, passport or anoath taken by the minor's guardianregarding the minor's age.

Fourteen- and 15-year-olds can par-ticipate in such activities only afterschool and between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (except if school isnot in session the following day, dur-ing which the minor may participatein activities between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.). They also are pre-cluded from working more than threehours per day and 18 hours per weekwhen school is in session or eighthours per day and 40 hours per weekwhen school is not in session.

For 16- and 17-year-olds, timerestrictions might not apply if per-forming work related to a publicemployment program funded by thefederal government. (As such, the firedepartment should contact the attor-


ney general's office to see if thisexemption applies.) However, gener-ally, they cannot participate in activi-ties during school hours and betweenthe hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.,Sunday through Thursday eveningspreceding a school day. If the child'sguardian submits a notarized statement of consent to the firedepartment's chief, then the 16- and17-year-old juniors can participatebetween 10 p.m. and midnight for upto three times per week.

Suggested contacts:

Tennessee Professional Associationof Firefighters at (615) 889-7250.

Fire Fighters CommissionDepartment of Commerce &Insurance500 James Robertson ParkwayNashville, Tennessee 37243

Attorney General450 James Robertson ParkwayNashville, Tennessee 37243-0485

Texas

The Texas Commission on FireProtection is given statutory authorityto regulate the voluntary certificationof firefighters, including establishingqualifications relating to age and stan-dards. Texas regulations place a mini-mum age of 18 on this voluntary certification. Generally, however, noindividual under 14 can engage in firedepartment activities, and all minorsare precluded from engaging in haz-ardous activities. Children 14 and 15years of age must obtain an age cer-tificate to prove their age. Certificatesare available through the LaborCommission.

Those minors are limited to work-ing no more than eight hours per dayor 48 hours per week. They can par-ticipate in department work activitiesbetween the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. (except on days not followedby a school day, during which thetime limitations are extended from 5 a.m. to midnight).

Suggested contacts:

Fireman's and Fire Marshal'sAssociation of Texas807 Stark StreetAustin, Texas 78756

Attorney GeneralP.O. Box 12548Austin, Texas 78711-2548.

Utah

Utah's statutes do not specificallyprohibit junior volunteer firefighting.However, minors are not permitted toengage in hazardous work except asauthorized by the labor commission,in writing, and only when the minor isunder careful supervision in connection with a vocational trainingprogram.

Minors under 16 must obtain agecertificates from their school districts.Moreover, they cannot work duringschool hours and are limited to fourhours of work-related activities perday and only between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. (unless the nextday is not a school day).

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal's Office at (801)284-6350.


Vermont

Vermont has no labor laws regulat-ing firefighters who are 16 and 17years of age, but there are regulationsregarding children under 16.Nevertheless, all junior firefightersare prohibited from driving an appara-tus, riding on the outside of an appa-ratus, or operating a ladder or anyhydraulic lifting equipment. Sixteen-and 17-year-old junior firefightersmay ride as a passenger inside theapparatus, climb up and down a lad-der, and fight a fire. However, a 14-and 15-year-old junior firefighter can-not perform any of the above unlesshe or she is enrolled in a vocationalcourse duly approved by theDepartment of Education. If he or sheis enrolled in such a course, he orshe can perform the same activitiesas a 16- and 17-year-old junior fire-fighter while under the supervision ofa department line officer.

Employment certificates are notrequired, and Vermont does not havehour restrictions for ages 16 andolder, with the exception of manufac-turing and mechanical establish-ments. Junior firefighters less than 16are limited generally to three hoursper school day or eight hours pernon-school day, 18 hours per schoolweek or 40 hours per non-schoolweek, and six days per week of work-related activities between the hoursof 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Vermont doesrecommend that fire departmentsobtain a record of each minor's dateof birth, for example, a certified copyof a birth certificate.

Suggested contacts:

Post-Secondary Education ServicesDepartment of Education120 State StreetMontpelier, Vermont 05620-2501

Vermont Fire Service TrainingP.O. Box 53Pittsford, Vermont 05763

Director, Fire PreventionDepartment of Labor and IndustryMontpelier, Vermont 05602

Attorney General109 State StreetMontpelier, Vermont 05609

Virginia

Volunteer fire departments inVirginia may maintain a junior volun-teer firefighting program. Ordinancesmust be enacted by the municipalityin order to establish a junior programfor its fire departments. However, thestate limits the participation ofjuniors based on age. Minors 16 and17 years of age cannot enter a burning structure unless they aretraining in a non-combustible struc-ture (burn building). They canrespond to emergencies and partici-pate in support functions. Minors 14and 15 years of age cannot partici-pate in firefighting or support activi-ties on the fire scene or emergencysituation. They cannot enter anyburning structures (even burn build-ings), although they can participate inclassroom training and support activi-ties at a training site. Minors under 14are precluded from participating inany firefighting activity, includingtraining.


In most Virginia localities, juniorfirefighters cannot drive apparatus asa result of insurance coveragerequirements and liability concerns.However, many departments allow16- and 17-year-old junior firefightersto ride on the apparatus in responseto emergency calls if they have com-pleted the Virginia Firefighter LevelOne training course as administeredby the Virginia Department of FirePrograms. Although those juniorscannot engage in active firefighting,they can act in a support and clean-up role after the fire.

There are no laws addressing thenumber of hours a minor may stay orwork around a fire station.Furthermore, because there is nopayment involved, work permits arenot required. Moreover, it is under-stood fully that belonging to a volun-teer fire department does not excusethe minor from his or her attendancein school. Some fire departmentstake the process one step further.They monitor the grades of thejuniors and, if any junior falls belowan acceptable level (usually a "C"), thejunior is barred from coming to thestation until the grades have beenimproved.

The junior firefighter's guardianmust give his/her consent prior to theminor being involved with the depart-ment. Volunteer fire departmentsshould request written permissionand keep that permission slip on fileat the fire station.

Suggested contacts:

Department of Fire ProgramsInvestigations and Inspections2807 Parham RoadRichmond, Virginia 23294

Attorney General900 East Main StreetRichmond, Virginia 23219

Washington

In Washington, minors cannotengage in firefighting and fire sup-pression duties. However, minors canparticipate in a non-hazardous juniorvolunteer firefighter program. Theattorney general opined that the gen-eral regulations dealing with theemployment of minors in other areaswould apply to minors engaging insuch a program. Therefore, under thechild labor law and Department ofLabor regulations, no individualunder 14 can be a junior firefighter,and all junior firefighters need anemployment permit, which must bekept on file at the fire station, andwritten parental permission on a par-ent/school authorization form avail-able through the school district.

Fourteen- and 15-year-old juniorfirefighters cannot participate injunior activities during school hours.In addition, they are limited to threehours of work-related duties perschool day up to six days per weekbetween the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (except on Fridays, Saturdaysand days preceding a school vacation, provided that the minor issupervised by a responsible adult atall times, during which the nighttimerestriction is extended to 9 p.m.).When school is not in session, theycan work for 10 hours per week.

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can par-ticipate up to four hours a day duringthe school term for six days perweek, between the hours of 7 a.m.and 10 p.m. (except on Fridays,


Saturdays and days preceding aschool vacation, provided they aresupervised by a responsible adult atall times, during which the nighttimerestriction is extended to midnight).During the school vacation, they canparticipate up to eight hours per day,six days per week and 40 hours perweek. Additionally, all junior firefight-ers must be given a 30-minute breakevery four hours.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General905 Plum StreetBuilding 3, P.O. Box 40100Olympia, Washington 98504-0100

West Virginia

West Virginia allows minorsbetween the ages of 16 and 18 tobecome junior volunteer firefightersprovided that they have completedthe minimum training requirementsof the West Virginia University's FireService Extension Firefighter TrainingSection One or its equivalent. Writtenpermission of the minor's guardian isrequired, and this written permissionmust be kept on file at the fire station, as long as the minor's nameappears on the volunteer fire depart-ment's roster as a junior volunteer.

Juniors are precluded from engag-ing in the following activities:

1. driving a firefighting apparatus oroperating emergency lights and sirenwhile responding to an emergency;

2. operating an aerial ladder, aerialplatform or hydraulic jack at a firescene;

3. using rubber electrical gloves,insulated wire gloves, insulated wirecutters, life nets, acetylene cuttingunits, K-12 power saws, air chisels,portapowers, hurst tools, or otherequipment related to rescue and fireoperations at a fire scene;

4. operating the pumps of any fireapparatus while at the scene of a fire;

5. entering a burning structure,except at designated training sessionsat specified training schools conduct-ed by the West Virginia Fire ServiceTraining Program of West VirginiaUniversity or the West Virginia StateFire Marshal's Office;

6. operating high-pressure hoselines, except during training; and

7. ascending ladders, except duringtraining activities.

The activities of junior volunteerfirefighters are limited to:

1. training;

2. first aid;

3. clean-up service at the scene ofa fire, outside the structure, after thefire has been declared by the officialin charge to be under control; and

4. coffee wagon and food service.

Under no circumstances can minorsunder the age of 16 participate in anyfire department activities. Moreover,minors attending school cannotrespond to a fire during school hoursunless a request is made by the firedepartment's chief to the school'sprincipal. If a fire department permitsjunior volunteer firefighters to partici-pate in prohibited activities, the firedepartment is subjecting itself to


potential lawsuits for injuries, withthe possibility that insurance cover-age would not apply because theaction was a violation of the law.

Each junior volunteer firefightermust be provided with minimal per-sonal protective equipment (boots,bunker coats, helmets, gloves, etc.)as they relate to his/her work in thefire department and at training activi-ties.

All provisions of the West Virginiachild labor law and regulations pro-mulgated thereunder affecting theemployment of minors are applicableto junior volunteer firefighters. Assuch, all juniors are required toobtain an age certificate by givingproof of age to the school districtsuperintendent. Satisfactory proofincludes a birth certificate, record ofbaptism, bona fide contemporaryrecord of the date and place of birthin a family Bible, passport or a lifeinsurance policy that has been ineffect for at least one year.

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal2100 Washington Street, East Charleston, West Virginia 25305

Wisconsin

Wisconsin statutes do not define aspecific class of volunteer firefighterunder the age of 18. The statutes doprovide that a person in charge of avolunteer fire company "shall haveauthority ... to command from theinhabitants of the city or town allneedful assistance for the suppres-sion of fires and in the preservationof property exposed to fire," which

implies that minors conceivably couldbe pressed into service. In addition,the concept of "volunteer" takesyoung members of volunteer firedepartments out of the coverage ofWisconsin's child labor law, whichrefers to the "gainful" employment ofminors. However, generally, minorsare precluded from working duringschool hours and are limited to eighthours per day, 40 hours per weekand six days per week of work-relatedactivities.

Suggested contact:

Attorney General123 West Washington Avenue P.O. Box 7857Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7857

Wyoming

Minors between 14 and 16 years ofage are precluded from engaging indangerous activities. However,Wyoming's child labor law does notdirectly prohibit junior volunteer firefighting. As such, prior to becom-ing junior firefighters, 14- and 15-year-olds must obtain work permitsfrom their school district administra-tive offices. Such permits are avail-able with (1) a written statement fromthe fire department stating the natureof the work intended and its intent touse the services of the minor as ajunior volunteer firefighter, and (2)proof of age in the form of a birthcertificate, certificate of baptism indicating the date of birth and placeof baptism, passport or certificate ofarrival in the United States, bona fidecontemporary Bible or other familyrecord, or a statement from a publicschool official indicating that the


child is at least 14 and accompaniedby an affidavit from the child'sguardian stating the child's age. Thefire department must keep these per-mits on file at the fire station.

Fourteen- and 15-year-old junior firefighters are limited to work-relatedactivities for eight hours per any 12-hour period between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. (except for nights precedinga non-school day, during which thenighttime deadline is extended tomidnight). Moreover, they are not per-mitted to engage in such activitiesduring school hours.

Suggested contact:

Department of Labor6101 Yellow Stone RoadNorth Building-Room 259CCheyenne, Wyoming 82007


Appendix II

Legal Sources on State ChildLabor Laws

Alabama Code 55 25-8-2(18), 25-8-13-16, 36-32-8 (1991)Alabama Administrative Code 55360-x-l- .01, 360-x-2- .01 (1991)

Letter from Ray Mott, AlabamaForestry Commission, to MichaelVennum (Sept. 27, 1995) (includedcopy of House Bill 60); Letter fromLynda Oswald, Alabama AssistantAttorney General, to Michael Vennum(June 21, 1995).

Alaska Statutes 55 23.10.325-330,23.10.332, 23.10.335, 23.10.340(1990); Alaska Administrative Codetitles 8, 55 05.010-.020, 05.030,05.040, 05.280 (1990).

Arizona Revised Statutes, Annotated,55 23-230-242 (1995); ArizonaOpinion of Attorney General 68-5-L.

Arkansas Code, Annotated, 55 5-27-204, 11-6-105, 11-6-108, 11-6-110,14-51-301 (Michie 1994); Robinsonv. Beaumont, 725 S.W. 2d 839(1987); St. Louis, I.M. & S. Ry. v.Higgins, 44 Arkansas 293 (1884);Lamb v. Midwest Mutual InsuranceCo., 296 F. Supp. 131 (W.D. Arkansas1969), Affirmed, 421 F.2d 179 (8thCir. 1970); Arkansas Opinion ofAttorney General 90-296 (December10, 1990); Arkansas Opinion ofAttorney General 89-057 (June 15,1989).

California Education Code SS 49110,49112, 49116 (West 1988);California Labor Code S 1290-1296(West 1988); California CodeRegulations, titles 8, 5 11701 (1994);

Letter from Rodney Lilyquist, SeniorAssistant Attorney General, toMichael Vennum (June 23, 1995).

Colorado Revised Statutes,Annotated, 55 8-12-110-117 (West1989).

Connecticut General StatutesAnnotated, SS 10-193, 31-12 & 13,31-23 & 24 (West 1987 and Supp.1995); Letter from Stephen Sarnoski,Assistant Attorney General, toMichael Vennum (June 20, 1995).

Delaware Code, Annotated, titles 19SS 502(2)(h), 504, 506 & 507 (1985and Supp. 1994).

Florida Statutes, Annotated, SS450.061, 450.081 (Supp. 1995);Letter from David Roberts, Division ofState Fire Marshal, to MichaelVennum (September 11, 1995);Letter from Joslyn Wilson, AssistantAttorney General, to Michael Vennum(June 26, 1995).

Georgia Code, Annotated, 55 25-3-1,25-3-20 & 21, 25-4-1, 39-2-1-4, 39-2-1-9, 39-2-11 (1982 and Supp. 1995);Georgia Opinion of Attorney General86-8 (1986); Letter from MatthewStone, Assistant Attorney General, toMichael Vennum (July 10, 1995).

Hawaii Revised Statutes 55 46-13.1;390-1-7 (1989).

Idaho Code SS 44-1301-1308, 67-2334-2336 (1995); Letter from ChadCook, Assistant Attorney General, toMichael Vennum (June 28, 1995).

Illinois Revised Statutes ch. 65, para.5/10-2.15, ch. 820, para. 205/1-22(1993); Ill. Administrative Code titles250, 5 100-860 (1994); Letter from


Lynn Patton, Assistant AttorneyGeneral, to Michael Vennum (July 3,1995).

Indiana Code SS 20-8.1-3-1-37, 20-8.1-4-1-32, 36-8-10.5-1-9, 36-8-12-1-12 (Michie 1989 and Supp. 1995);Indiana Administrative Code titles610, r. 4-1-1-4-5-15 (1994); Letterfrom Anne Mullin, Deputy AttorneyGeneral, to Michael Vennum (July 12,1995); Letter from Ivan Nevil, StateFire Academy, to Michael Vennum(September 25, 1995).

Iowa Code, Annotated, 55 82.1-23(1984 and Supp. 1995); Letter fromLynn Walding, Assistant AttorneyGeneral, to Michael Vennum (June29, 1995).

Kansas Statutes, Annotated, SS 21-3608, 38-601l4, 75-6101; Letter fromJames Coder, Assistant AttorneyGeneral, State Fire Marshal Depart-ment, to Michael Vennum (July 5,1995).

Kentucky Revised Statutes,Annotated, SS 95A.0l0-.990,339.010-.990 (1994).

Louisiana Revised Statutes,Annotated, SS 23.151-372, 33.1941,33.1998, 40.1543 (West 1985 andSupp. 1995).

Maine Revised Statutes, Annotated,titles 30-A, 55 3151-3152, titles 20-A,SS 9000-9003, titles 26, 5 701 (West1994).

Maryland Code, Annotated, Labor &Employment SS 3-201-216 (1994);Letter from Jack Schwartz, ChiefCounsel Opinions & Advice, toMichael Vennum (Nov. 14, 1995).

Massachusetts General Laws,Annotated, ch. 31, 5 58, ch. 149, 5556-99 (West 1982 and Supp. 1995).

Michigan Compensation Laws,Annotated, 55 409.l01-.124 (West1995).

Minnesota Statutes, Annotated, 55181A.01-.12, 424A.01 (West 1994);Letter from Hubert Humphrey,Attorney General, to Michael Vennum(September 14, 1995).

Mississippi Code, Annotated, SS 71-1-17-31 (1990); Letter from DavidScott, Attorney General's Office, toMichael Vennum (June 30, 1995).

Missouri Revised Statutes SS294.005-294.140 (1992 andSupp.1995).

Montana Code, Annotated, SS 7-33-2110, 2202, 2316; 19-17-105; 39-71-118; 41-2-101-121 (1993).

Nebraska Revised Statutes SS 35-101-108; 48-301-313 (1990 andSupp. 1993).

Nevada Revised Statutes SS 475.110;609.185-.270 (1994); NevadaAdministrative Code ch. 15GB, 5 310(1994).

New Hampshire Revised Statutes,Annotated, 55 154:1-1-154:17 (1990and Supp. 1993), 276-A: l-l0 (1987and Supp. 1994); New HampshireCode Administrative Rules on Labor1000.01-1004.04 (1994).

New Jersey Statutes, Annotated, 5534:2-21.17, 40A:14-95-98 (West1993); Letter from William Cane,Department of Community Affairs, toMichael Vennum (July 7, 1995).


Office of Wage and Hour Compliance,New Jersey Department of Labor,Division of Work Place Standards,Bulletin No 2, Volunteer FireCompanies, Rescue Squads, First AidSquads and the New Jersey ChildLabor Law (1984).

New Mexico Statutes, Annotated, 5550-6-1-16 (1993); Letter from GeorgeChavez, State Fire Marshal, to MichaelVennum (July 14, 1995).

New York General Municipal Law S204-b (McKinney 1986); 1977 NewYork Attorney General Opinion 149(April 11, 1977); Letter from PhillipSparkes, Associate Attorney,Department of State, to MichaelVennum (September 25, 1995).

North Carolina General Statutes SS58-80-l0, 95-25.5 (1994).

North Dakota Central Code SS 34-07-01-20 (1987 and Supp.); Letter fromRobert Bennett, Assistant AttorneyGeneral, to Michael Vennum (June20, 1995).

Ohio Revised Code, Annotated, 554109.02, 4109.07, 4109.08,4109.11 (Anderson 1994); OhioAdministrative Code SS 4101:9-2(1994); Ohio Opinion of AttorneyGeneral 87-104 (Dec. 29, 1987);Letter from Abbe Allen,Administrative Assistant, Departmentof Industrial Relations, to MichaelVennum (October 11, 1995);Department of Industrial Relations,Chapter 4109 Employment of Minors& Chapter 4101:0-2 OhioAdministrative Rules and Regulations(1991).

Oklahoma Statutes titles 11, SS 29-101-205, titles 40, SS 71-88(986 and Supp. 1995).

Oregon Revised Statutes SS 401.0l5-.990, 476.005-.925, 653.305-445(Supp. 1994); Oregon AdministrativeRules 838-10.000-10.060 (1994).

Pennsylvania Statutes, Annotated,titles 24, SS 1-101-27-2702, titles 43,SS 41-71, titles 53, 5 891, titles 77,SS 672(b), 946, 998, 1031, 6724(1994); Pennsylvania Code SS 11.67(1994); Letter from Timothy Dunkle,State Fire Academy, to MichaelVennum (October 18, 1994); Letterfrom Richard Lengler, AssistantCounsel, Department of Labor &Industry, to Michael Vennum (October13, 1994); Letter from HelenFriedman, Bureau of LaborStandards, to Michael Vennum(October 19, 1994); FairfieldTownship Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 v.Pennsylvania Human RelationsCommission, 609 A.2d 804 (Pa.1992); Commonwealth v. Morakis,220

A.2d 900 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1966); Walshv. Camelot Bristol Co., 517

A.2d 577 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1986);Temple v. Milmont Fire Co., 525

A.2d 848 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1987),appeal dismissed, 533 A.2d 95

(Pa. 1987); Pennsylvania Bureau ofLabor Standards, Leaflet No. LILS-l,Employment of Minors as AmbulanceAttendants and Junior Firefighters 1-2(Sept. 1986).

Rhode Island General Laws 55 28-3-1-32 (1986 and Supp. 1994).


South Carolina Code, Annotated, SS41-13-50, 59-63-280 (1986 andSupp. 1994); S.C. Code Regs. SS 71-3100-3110 (1992).

South Dakota Codified Laws,Annotated, 55 60-12-1-21 (1993 andSupp. 1995).

Tennessee Code, Annotated, SS 4-24-101-206, 50-5-101-114, 68-102-145(1991 and Supp. 1995); TennesseeComprehensive Rules & RegulationsSS 0360-1-1-11-1 (February 1995);Letter from E. Ross White, FireFighting Commission, to MichaelVennum (October 5, 1995); Letterfrom Sheri Tigue, AdministrativeAssistant, Attorney General, toMichael Vennum (July 5, 1995).

Texas Government Code, Annotated,S 419.071 (Supp. 1995), Texas LaborCode, Annotated, 55 51.001-51.032(1995); Texas Administrative Codetitles 37, SS 421.1-421.9, 471.1-471.7, 473.1-473.5 (1995).

Utah Code, Annotated, SS 572-2-1-15(1994).

Vermont Statutes, Annotated, titles20, 5 3155, titles 21, 55 431-449(1988 and Supp. 1995); Letter fromRobert Lorenz, Post-SecondaryEducation Services, to MichaelVennum (July 24, 1995); Letter fromRobert Howe, Assistant Fire Marshal,to Michael Vennum (October 4,1995); Letter from Robert Howe,Director, Fire Prevention, to GeorgeGibby, Assistant Supervisor, VermontState Firefighters' Association (June8, 1987); Vermont Department ofLabor & Industry, ImportantInformation for Employers of Minorsin the State of Vermont on Federal

and State Child Labor Laws (1991).

Virginia Code Annotated, 55 40.1-78-116 (Michie 1994 and Supp. 1995);Section 7, No. 17 of the Department ofLabor & Industry, Department of FirePrograms Regulations; 1980-1981Virginia Opinion of Attorney General247 (Sept. 12, 1980); Letter fromRussell Chandler, Department of Fireprograms, to Thomas Daniel, AttorneyGeneral. Office (June 26, 1995).

Washington Revised Code Annotated,SS 26.28.060, 26.28.070, 28A.27.090(1986); Washington AdministrativeCode 55 296-125-01070 (1995);Letter from James Pharris, SeniorAssistant Attorney General, to MichaelVennum (June 27, 1995).

West Virginia Code 55 21-6-1-11, 42-9-6 (1994); West Virginia AttorneyGeneral Opinion of (Jan. 17, 1990).

Wisconsin Statutes, Annotated, S213.095 (West 1994); Letter fromBruce Olsen, Assistant AttorneyGeneral, to Michael Vennum (June 27,1995).

Wyoming Statutes 55 27-6-107-116(1994).


Appendix III

Resources

“Fire and Emergency ServicesProgram Helps”

National Exploring DivisionBoy Scouts of America1325 West Walnut Hill LaneP.O. Box 152079Irving, TX 75015-2079

United States Fire AdministrationPublications Center16825 South Seton AvenueEmmitsburg, MD 21727

VFIS“Junior Emergency ServiceExcellence Award Program”P.O. Box 2726York, PA 17405

Other sources used for this bookAppendices

BSA criteria for Explorer posts

VFIS awards program criteria

Sample documentation too extensiveto be included in the body.


Junior Fire and Emergency Services Programsapi.ning.com/files/a1uy4OF1*t2ox6aCuKngQIVy*H6RE06yBid4iwjb4jN7... · Junior Fire and Emergency Services Programs ... I. State-by-State

Documents

Junior Fire and Emergency Services Programsapi.ning.com/files/a1uy4OF1t2ox6aCuKngQIVyH6RE06yBid4iwjb4jN7... · Junior Fire and Emergency Services Programs ... I. State-by-State