junior fire and emergency services programs - vfis.com

Junior Fire and EmergencyServices Programs

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The information contained in this publication is intended for educational purposesonly. VFIS specifically disclaims any liability for any act or omission by any person inconnection with the use or implementation of any information contained in this publi-cation.

VFIS does not make any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, withrespect to the results obtained by the use, adherence or implementation of any mater-ial contained in this manual. The implementation of the content is not a guaranteethat you will achieve a certain desired result.

1998 VFIS (Revised 2007) • All Rights ReservedNo 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 written permission of VFIS.

Junior Emergency Services Programii VFIS ©

Contents

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

1. Types of Programs ......................................................3

2. Important Issues and Concerns ................................13

3. Key Program Elements ..............................................17

Conclusions ................................................................36

Appendix......................................................................37

Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program IiiiVFIS ©

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 # 708Rochester, NY

Harmony Township Volunteer FireDepartmentExplorer Post # 706Ambridge, Pennsylvania

Hilton Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 911Hilton, New York

King of Prussia Volunteer Fire CompanyKing of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Lafayette Ambulance and Rescue SquadKing of Prussia, Pennsylvania

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

Shrewsbury Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 85Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Sparky’s PalsWest Elmira, New York

Springdale Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 211Springdale, Ohio

West Reading Fire CompanyJunior BrigadeWest Reading, Pennsylvania

Winsted Fire DepartmentExplorer Post # 911Winsted, Connecticut

Junior Emergency Services Programiv VFIS ©

In January 1994, a major earthquakestruck the Los Angeles metropolitan areaand killed more than 50 people. LorenzoTrujillo, 20, was one of a group ofExplorers from Hollywood responding toa collapsed parking garage. When hearrived, Trujillo heard cries from a mantrapped under two layers of concrete.Trujillo stayed with him for eight hours,talking with the man in Spanish, keepinghim calm until he could be rescued.

Emergency preparedness is one of anumber of designated national themesfor Scouting and Explorer Posts. AcrossAmerica, Scout groups have staged theirown mock disasters to practice rescueskills. A Texas Scouting event included amock airplane crash simulated byExplorers in conjunction with the CivilAir Patrol: Scouts rescued "victims" andadministered first aid. These programshelp Scouts learn to handle life-threaten-ing situations and make sound decisionsunder pressure.*

*From "Emergency Scout Program: Emergency

Preparedness”," Boy's Life, May 1994.

Emergency service organizationsacross the United States–large and smalldepartments; career, volunteer and com-bination departments; in large urbancenters, booming suburban cities, pleas-ant small cities and quiet rural communi-ties–are affiliated with youth programsthat focus on fire protection and emer-gency medical service, interests andactivities. While no comprehensiveaccounting of the number of these pro-grams exists, a reasonable guess wouldplace the count well into the hundreds.

The programs are as varied as thecommunities and emergency serviceorganizations that support them, offeringcountless permutations, organizationalstructures, numbers and ages of mem-

bers, styles of operation, focal points,and philosophies. Some are affiliatedwith the Exploring program supported bythe Boy Scouts of America (which isopen to young men and women, ages 14through 20), but many are independentorganizations developed locally to meetarea-specific needs, interests, and cir-cumstances. They serve numerous pur-poses, with a key objective being todevelop a sense of community serviceamong youthful members. By participat-ing in a youth program, young peoplegain confidence, develop mechanicalskills and aptitude, and gain a greaterawareness of personal and fire safety.

A vital purpose, particularly amongprograms affiliated with volunteer-depen-dent organizations, is to provide an ever-evolving supply of interested, involved,trained and experienced young peoplewho might become adult emergency ser-vice providers when they outgrow theyouth program. Many volunteer emer-gency service organizations, particularlythose in areas where populations arestagnant or declining, sponsor youth pro-grams for the express purpose ofenhancing recruitment among young citi-zens. In "The Future of the Fire Service,"an article published in Firehouse maga-zine in April 1989, author RobertWilliams observes that one youth unit,organized in 1987 and operated throughthe Perrysburg Township (Ohio)Volunteer Fire Department, was estab-lished specifically with that intent inmind. He quotes a member of the localtownships volunteer fire department say-ing, "In our area, we're just not gettingvolunteers anymore. We started a FireExplorer Post in the hope of gettingyoungsters interested in becoming volun-teers at a later age.”

Junior Fire and Emergency Services Program 11VFIS ©

Introduction

Evidently the plan works. The majorityof fire department youth programsappear, from a quick review of member-ship data, to consistently contribute tothe sponsoring fire departments’ futuremembership rolls, in addition to theongoing contributions made by theyouth groups year in and year out.

Firefighting is an honored, albeit haz-ardous, occupation involving a wide vari-ety of important responsibilities. For allkinds of emergencies, people call thefire department. They expect and consis-tently receive quick response and quickaction. Those who are firefighters sharea desire for community service and adedication to fellow citizens. They alsomust be willing to accept personal stressand danger, learn scores of differentkinds of knowledge and skills, whileundergoing the hardships and hazards ofoperating under emergency conditions.Also, they must be capable of balancingthe joy of saving a life with the frustra-tion and sorrow of being unable to doso.

VFIS of York, Pennsylvania, hasreceived information from hundreds offire departments’ youth programs, manyof them providing extraordinary detailabout the group and its origins, pur-poses, activities, philosophies, and successes. Departments that are inter-ested in initiating these programs, haveoften asked VFIS for information aboutyouth programs.

Because VFIS strives to supportAmerica's emergency services not onlythrough insurance programs, but inmeeting other varied needs as well, ithas culled from its extensive files anoverview of what these programs are,how they function and what seems towork. We hope this booklet will helpdepartments that might be consideringinitiating a new youth program to decide

whether a program is right for them,what kind of program will best meettheir needs, how to organize a programand how to keep it on track through theyears.

In the pages that follow, we will reviewin detail the various approaches takenby youth programs affiliated with emer-gency service organizations acrossAmerica. We will present descriptions ofsome programs that can serve as exam-ples of particular types of programs,introduce some of the legal and liabilityissues applicable to such youth pro-grams, and provide a review ofresources and information available todepartments seeking guidance in estab-lishing a youth program.

While working to develop a programfor your organization, the followingguidelines may also be useful for emer-gency service groups other than fire-based groups.

Junior Emergency Services Program2 VFIS ©

Among the hundreds of fire depart-ment youth programs in place through-out the United States, there are nearly asmany variations on the concept as thereare individual programs. Each calls it selfby a different name and vary widely insize and the ages of members. Someorganizations have been in existenceonly a few years, while others date backdecades. Organizational structures vary,as do policies, procedures, and thedegree to which members of the juniorgroup can participate in fire departmentactivities, including training, and emer-gency incidents. Some programs havehigh expectations for the personalbehavior and scholastic performance ofmembers, while others demonstrate nosuch concerns.

Of course, similarities exist among thevarious programs as well. For example, awide range of funding sources andfundraising activities support most pro-grams. In many cases, the youth groupssupport the sponsoring fire departmentsby helping with the departments’fundraising activities and by providingother kinds of assistance. Some firedepartments provide uniforms andequipment to the youth organization,although their nature and extent varieswidely in relation to the kinds of activi-ties undertaken by the junior group.

This section reviews the differencesand similarities among these youth pro-grams. In each of several categories,brief descriptions of the differentapproaches are provided.

Names of programs

The titles of programs fall into severalgeneral categories. Many are junior firedepartments or junior fire companies,with such variations as junior firefightersor junior auxiliary. Fire cadets or emer-

gency service cadets are found in severalcommunities.

About the Boy Scouts’ Exploring program

Because so many of the youth pro-grams affiliated with fire departmentsand described in this book are ExplorerPosts chartered through the Boy Scoutsof America, it seems beneficial to take aclose look at what the Exploring pro-gram.

Exploring is the young adult division ofthe Boy Scouts of America. Exploring isjust what the name implies–young peo-ple exploring possible career fields orrecreational activities. There are ExplorerPosts involved in many adventures.Explorer programs help provide sophisti-cated, hands-on career explorationopportunities to those who are seriousabout their future, while also promotingsocial interaction and fun.

Explorers are organized into posts,which are sponsored by businesses,industries, churches, schools, civicclubs, and community organizations.These chartered partners provide adultvolunteer leaders, program resources,and meeting facilities. It takes five youthmembers and five adults to start anExplorer Post. Professional staff of theregional Boy Scout councils oversee andsupport Exploring activities in theirregions. A key element of Exploring isthat the young people themselves runthe organizations, with adults servingonly in an advisory capacity.*

*(from “Firefighting: Exploring Tomorrow Today” brochure

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


Types of Programs

General emphasis in Exploring fallsinto these vital areas:

• Career exploration

• A sense of public service

• Leadership development

• Social development

• Enhanced fitness

• Outdoor activities

According to official documentation,"Exploring works by meeting the needsof young adults through a series of care-fully chosen experiences that encouragepersonal growth and foster a sense ofachievement." Key elements of such aprogram include:

• Helping young people to develop themselves through a practical experience in decisionmaking and ethical choices.

• Group activities.

• Recognition of achievement.

• Functioning within a democratic process.

• Opportunities for exploring individual curiosity and adventure.

Extensive information and other sup-port are available from the Boy Scouts ofAmerica regarding requirements andguidelines for programs.

Ages of participants

The ages targeted by the variousgroups range from eight years to 21years. The majority are aimed at highschool students, ages 14 to 18.

Longevity of programs

Among those programs submittinginformation to VFIS, most were estab-lished in the 1980s. Several originatedin the 1960s or 1970s, and several were

young programs, dating only to the early1990s. On the other hand, two wereestablished in the 1940s and one in the1950s. It is never too late to start ajunior program.

Structure

The organizations are structured toenable the young members to managetheir own affairs. Most are governed by aconstitution and bylaws; some also havewritten standard operating proceduresand formal policies. Meetings take placeregularly, from weekly to alternatemonths; monthly meetings seem to bethe most common. Most groups havespecific attendance and tardiness rules,with penalties for excesses most com-monly consisting of exclusion from activ-ities. Probationary periods for new mem-bers are common and vary from sixmonths to a year.

Some organizations have two sets ofofficers: organizational or administrative

Sample Organizational Chart

Fire ExploringDirector

Post Chief

Post Asst. Chief

Post Captain

Post Lieutenant Post Lieutenant

ExplorerMembers


(president, vice president, secretary,treasurer, etc., and line or operational/tactical (chief of juniors, other chief offi-cer ranks, captains, lieutenants, etc.);others have only one type. Some pro-grams have a hybrid. The groupsreviewed were evenly split among thosetypes.

Funding

Typically, a combination of fire depart-ment funding, membership dues andoutside fundraising provides financialsupport for the organizations. In thosegroups charging dues, the amountsrange from $2 per year to $2 per month.Documentation from some groups statethat members in arrears cannot partici-pate in activities.

Many groups receive direct fundingfrom the sponsoring fire department; infact, some programs get all their fundingfrom that route. As a variation on thattheme, one group receives an annualgrant from the local fire district commis-sion. One sponsoring fire departmentcontributes $25 for each member wholater joins the department. Another

program is funded by the county schoolsystem and is conducted through localhigh schools as a formal school pro-gram. Many junior programs solicit andaccept direct donations of funds orequipment.

Most of the groups also conductfundraising activities. Fundraising eventsinclude car washes, raffles and bingo,special fundraising fairs, cookouts, afundraising night at a local comedy club,pancake breakfasts, spaghetti suppers,Halloween haunted houses, volleyballtournaments, and dances. Some groupssell candy bars, Christmas ornamentsand wreaths, smoke detectors, wind-socks and mugs with the local firedepartment’s logo, entertainmentcoupon books and refreshments at the county fair. Some programs receive pay-ment for community projects, such as:

• Painting fire hydrants or even houses

• Delivering telephone directories

• Running a recycling center or a rent-a-kid service


• Filling swimming pools and cleaning chimneys

• Conducting CPR classes and providing emergency medical services for local sporting events

• Parking cars at community events

• Cleaning up after a local dog show

• Showing movies at the local community center.

Social/recreational activities

Many of the organizations described astrong focus on social and recreationalactivities aimed at providing young mem-bers with lighthearted involvement tobalance the seriousness of the firefight-ing element of their organizations. Theseactivities include trips to fire museums,large fire departments in the area, air-port fire departments, state fire acade-mies, and state fire marshals’ offices.Some groups conduct an annual ban-quet or appreciation dinner includingawards presented to junior members.Campouts, dances, ski trips and similarprograms were offered by some groups,as were parents’ night programs.

Uniforms and personal appearance

Uniforms of some kind were importantelements 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 of adress shirt and trousers. Some uniformsare provided by the fire department orthe youth group, while in other cases,the members must provide their ownuniforms.

Most of the groups restrict the wearingof the uniform to group functions,although one program specifies thatmembers can wear their uniforms toschool during Fire Prevention Week. Inmany cases, the uniform must be wornfor group activities.

.

Limitations on behavior while in uni-form are common and include prohibi-tions against public displays of affection,smoking or other use of tobacco, drink-ing of alcoholic beverages or use of illicitdrugs, and the single most commonrestriction, offensive language or behav-ior.

Scholastic requirements andpersonal behavior

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


The majority of groups state that mem-bers must maintain a "C" average or bet-ter in school. On the other hand, a fewrequire only passing grades, and oneprogram says that only members withpassing grades can be excused fromschool to respond on emergency calls.Several organizations state in their poli-cies that activities of the group must notinterfere with school programs orgrades.

Some require that members must beenrolled in school or home schoolingfull-time if under 18, unless already agraduate. Good attendance at school isrequired by some programs. Schoolexpulsion and "difficulty with the police"are, in some cases, grounds for dis-missal from the group; several organiza-tions prohibit members from participa-tion in group activities if they are underschool suspension or expulsion.

Members of one group are encouragedto bring school assignments to the sta-tion to work on between alarms andother activities. One sponsors a regularlyscheduled study hall program for mem-bers, while another youth group offers ascholarship program for members. Themajority of organizations prohibit thebringing of fire department pagers toschool (or, in a few cases, to church);several organizations state that membersmust not leave school to answer emer-gency calls. Many have curfews onschool nights and other limits, for exam-ple, no response to calls during mid-

term or final exam periods. One groupstates that, if a member is absent fromschool on a given day, he or she mustnot go to the firehouse that day.

Several of the organizations will notaccept members with criminal records; acouple of groups limit that restriction toapplicants with felony convictions. Todaygroups also do background checks.

It would be expected that each organi-zation would have some type of scholas-tic requirement and personal behaviorexpectations.

Training

Fire department youth organizationsprovide training to their members that iscommensurate with the activities inwhich they participate. Those groupsthat become involved in emergencyscene operations are trained to respondsafely and appropriately under thoseconditions. Those that perform only non-emergency support functions receiveless technical training, while thoseinvolved exclusively in fire preventionactivities receive training principally inthat area.

.

In many cases, members of the youthorganization are permitted to observe oreven participate in fire department drillsand training sessions, within limits. Themajority of organizations permitting suchcross-training prohibit youth participationin large training fires, metal fires, or haz-


ardous materials drills. Still, one groupstates that its members "receive thesame training as firefighters," and othersreport that their young people partici-pate in all areas of fire department train-ing, from communications to hazardousmaterials.

A few programs indicate that youthmembers routinely train along withmembers of the adult fire department inorder to perform effectively in combinedevolutions on the emergency scene. Inone program, through a two-year courseof study, participants learn the essentialsof firefighting and EMT requirements andreceive Firefighter I certification by thestate, as well as school credit for theirtraining. Members of another groupreceive training for hazardous materialsclean up, disposal, protection andrecordkeeping. Groups that participate inoperational training are required to wearappropriate protective clothing andequipment while training.

A particularly common training ele-ment is in emergency medical servicesand cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Onegroup has established three phases oftraining, encompassing both backgroundknowledge and fire operational skills:

Level 1

Orientation, introduction, safety, appa-ratus, fire service, communications;

Level 2

Tools and equipment, hoselines andappliances, hose lays, ladders, ropesand knots, first aid and rescue, watersupply; and

Level 3

An authentic assessment or practicalexamination on all training.

Another program presents a series of50 different "mini" 'training sessions,each focusing on a specific piece ofequipment and its operation; these ses-sions are conducted bi-weekly.

The quality of training is ensured bymany groups through requirements thatthe training meet certain standards, forexample, the National Fire ProtectionAssociation (NFPA) Firefighter I level.Some groups require that all training beconducted by state certified fire instruc-tors. In others, senior active membersteach some classes as part of their lead-ership advancement training.

.

The frequency of training varies fromgroup to group. Monthly classroom andhands-on training sessions are common.

Personal Protective Equipment

Groups appear split evenly overwhether they own their own personalprotective equipment, and the nature ofthat equipment varies widely. Most youthmembers are issued full protectiveequipment and clothing if they partici-pate in any way in emergency opera-tions, even operational training. Some


are assigned full turnout or bunker gear,SCBA and pagers; most groups receiveonly protective equipment. Much of theequipment is donated by the fire depart-ment. In other cases, they point out thatprotective equipment complies withNFPA Standard 1500.

Groups involved in public fire safetyand education programs tend to havesupplies applicable to those activities,such as puppets, a portable stage orother show equipment.

Official activities

The most important involvement ofyouth participants occurs in program-related activities and, in some cases,that involvement is substantial. Onegroup, for example, says its membersspend anywhere from 20 to 150 hoursper month in program activities.However, there are some interestingcaveats linked to the amount and, occa-sionally, the types of activities youthmembers can perform. For example,documentation of several organizationsstates that youth members shall not beused in the place of fire department per-sonnel or to augment on-duty fire sup-pression forces, while in some othercases, they do just that.

Youth members provide all-aroundsupport back at the fire station. Washingand hanging hose, cleaning and restock-ing equipment and apparatus, placingequipment back in service, and assistingin vehicle, building and grounds mainte-nance, are included in the stated respon-sibilities of some groups.

In addition, many groups assist withsuch non-fire emergencies as floods,power outages, storm damage and clear-ing hydrants of snow. Some organiza-tions install and remove snow stakes forhydrants. One junior group has assistedin the production of fire training andeducation films made by a major fireprotection organization in the sponsoringdepartment’s jurisdiction. Several groupsuse their members as “victims” for firedepartment training exercises and drillsor to otherwise assist in departmentaltraining events. Some help with regionalfirefighter competitions and musters.

Groups perform a great deal of non-operational community service as well.One group says it provided more than3000 hours in community service in oneyear. Projects vary from helping to installan ice-skating rink liner at a communitypark each winter to helping the fire


department with its fundraising. Manyparticipate in parades. One performshighway litter collection, while severalprovide meals for needy families atThanksgiving and toys for needy childrenat Christmas. Another group deliversgifts to hospital patients during the holi-days. Youth participation in fire depart-ments’ Muscular Dystrophy Association,boot and blood drives is common. Onegroup staffs the United Way booth at alocal supermarket during that organiza-tion's annual fund drive.

The involvement of junior fire depart-ment groups with public fire safety edu-cation appears to be a natural use ofyoung people helping their communities.Members of some organizations builttheir own fire safety education house orfire safety trailer. One group participatedin a community education programabout residential fire sprinklers, whileanother group planned, raised funds for,and built a fire safety education truck ata local library.

Participation in such events as earth-quake preparedness fairs or emergencymedical fairs is common. Several groupsroutinely help with fire department openhouse tours, while many participate in avariety of fire prevention, public fire andlife safety education programs, CPR edu-cation and mall safety displays. Someprograms involving youth install smokedetectors in low-income homes. One

group created its own driver educationvideotape while another developed andperformed in a live-action DWI scenariofor local high school students.

Ride-alongs, sleepovers

Many of the junior firefighter organiza-tions include such hands-on experiencesas ride-alongs and sleepovers for theirmembers. In virtually every instance, theyoungsters must complete prescribedtraining and pass written, oral, and prac-tical exams to be eligible for ride-alongs,which normally involve some variationof members riding with adult fire depart-ment officers on shift duty. Restrictionson participation in such activities may begoverned by state laws and should bechecked for such items as age limita-tions. The participating members mustwear appropriate protective gear and aseat belt while riding in the vehicle, andsome specify that the young membercan function only as an observer. Mostorganizations require parental consent,which is typically obtained before ayoungster even joins the group.

Other restrictions state that the mem-ber must have been active in the pro-gram for at least six months to partici-pate in sleeping over. Some organiza-tions prohibit sleeping over on schoolnights. In addition, in most cases, someform of curfew requires that youth mem-bers be out of the fire station by a cer-tain hour of the night, often 10 p.m. Infact, in many cases, youngsters are notpermitted in the station at any timeexcept for meetings, drills, and other for-mal activities, with limits of not arrivingmore than 30 minutes before or remain-ing more than 30 minutes afterward.

In all cases, riding on emergencyequipment must be consistent with statelaws.


Emergency response

Among those youth organizations thatpermit members to respond to emer-gency incidents, most have a range ofrestrictions and requirements. One ofthe most common is that youngstersmust wear full protective gear and obeyall the instructions of the officer incharge. Members, in most cases, mustcomplete probation and all requiredtraining in order to participate in emer-gency responses or operations.

Response to an emergency is strictlyregulated in most groups. The youthmembers of many organizations mustrespond in a non-emergency mode: nowarning lights, no sirens, no rapidresponse. Some groups prohibit youthmembers from riding on fire departmentapparatus, while others permit youthresponse only on approved apparatus.

Some departments permit junior par-ticipants to report to the station, notdirectly to the scene, and some waivethat requirement if the incident is locat-ed on the way between the member’shome and the fire station.

Some youth members have pagers toalert them to emergency calls, but often

with restrictions on their use, for exam-ple, no pagers in school or in church.Some common restrictions include pro-hibitions on any emergency responseafter 9 p.m. on school nights; anothergroup says not between 10 p.m. and 6a.m. if school is scheduled for the fol-lowing 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, anotherprohibits youth members from transport-ing other youth members or adult fire-fighters to the scene. While some pro-grams provide guidelines for youth leav-ing school for emergency responses, oth-ers prohibit the practice outright.

Participation at emergency incidents

It is recommended that each depart-ment check the Child Labor Laws of itsstate before drafting a definitive policyon all aspects of "junior” membership,being especially clear on participation atemergency events.

Not surprisingly, descriptions andguidelines concerning participation byyouth members at emergency incidentsare as contradictory as those concerningemergency response. In virtually everyinstance, any group that permits mem-bers to attend emergency incidentsrequires that they wear full protectivegear at all times on the emergencyscene.

Beyond that, restrictions vary. Onegroup states bluntly that junior membersare not to enter the cab of any firedepartment apparatus or touch any engi-neering controls. One common approachis to specify that no direct participationby youth members will be permittedwithout specific instructions from the on-


scene commander. Some groups prohib-it members under age 18 from partici-pating in firefighting operations, exceptduring approved training sessions by cer-tified instructors and at the chiefs discre-tion and approval.

In some groups, junior members mustnever enter a burning structure; no inte-rior operations whatsoever are permit-ted. Other programs state that cadetsmay enter a burning structure only afterthe fire is declared under control and foreducational purposes only, wearing fullprotective gear and accompanied by afirefighter. One example of a commonguideline is that youth members mustnot:

• Operate in hazardous situations

• Enter burning buildings or climb ladders for rescue or firefighting

• Enter condemned or burned-out buildings except accompanied by an active senior member

• Handle or direct traffic on a public highway, although these are all activities specifically named for youth members to perform in other groups.

Members of many groups are limitedto such outside duties as shuttling airbottles and other equipment, rehabilita-tion support, and first aid. They mayenter the fire building only after theemergency is declared over and the

scene is deemed generally safe by theincident commander. The use of laddersof more than 24 feet (or other specifiedheight) is often prohibited for juniormembers. In addition, the use of particu-lar types of hoselines is often regulated.For example, a prohibition on usinghoselines of more than 100 psi exceptbooster lines, using hoselines of morethan 2 1/2 inches or using hoselines ofmore than 5 inches in diameter may gen-erally exist. In one group, members arepermitted to lay hoselines, but cannotperform fire attack.

One group specifies that, duringalarms (or inspections), youth membersare not allowed to enter establishmentswhere minors normally are not permit-ted. Another program makes the generalstatement that all responsibilitiesassigned to cadet members must be car-ried out in a quick, orderly, and quietmanner. Another organization prohibitsthe sharing of information about the inci-dent with bystanders.

The level of participation is generallygoverned by state laws, departmentSOGs, best safety practices, and com-mon sense. Know all of the limitationsbefore implementing a participationpractice.


At the foundation of any fire depart-ment youth program should lie clearacknowledgment of and policies concerning certain fundamental consid-erations. Safety, ethics, liability, insur-ance, child labor laws and similar issuesmust be considered at the outset, andprovisions made for their appropriateapplication. Given that in some youthorganizations, junior members performactual fire attack, especially during theday when there are few senior firefight-ers available, and sometimes withoutadult supervision, these issues consti-tute a genuine and important concern.

Most of the programs reviewed in thispublication devoted specific attention tosome or all of these matters. This sec-tion reviews the issues and their signifi-cance and describes how some organiza-tions have addressed them.

This information is provided for educa-tional purposes only while serving asexamples for thinking and planning.However, it is vital that any organizationconsidering the feasibility of starting ayouth program obtain legal counsel thatreflects the specific conditions and cir-cumstances present in that particularlocale.

Safety

Sound policies must be in place tostipulate what youth members are per-mitted to do and prohibited from doingin and around the fire station, en routeto and from emergencies, and on theemergency scene. These policies mustbe consistent with fire department regu-lations and state laws and, in the case oforganizations that are Explorer Posts,must be consistent with guidelines fromthe Boy 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 ServiceOrganization Members:

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

• Must not be substitutes 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.

• 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.

Clearly, a review of the program activi-ties and policies contained above illus-trates that not all of these safety guide-lines are applied in all locales. Carefulconsideration must be given locally tothe constraints that program officialswish to apply to their programs. A desireto provide an exciting experience foryoung members and a need to involvethe youth in assisting the fire department


Important Issues and Concerns

in its activities must be balanced againstthe safety and health needs of theyoungsters involved.

Ethics

Among the key components of a firedepartment youth program is the valueof the program in teaching young peoplehow to interact with adults and with oneanother as adults. The hands-on experi-ences of interacting with peers and adultleaders give young people opportunitiesto learn and practice decision makingand problem-solving skills. It also pro-vides an opportunity for discussing val-ues and formulation of the member’sown value systems while reflecting onand learning about themselves in rela-tion to others, experimenting with theiridentity as emerging adults, participatingas a member of a group and cultivating acapacity to enjoy life.* *(from Fire and Emergency Services Program Helps, jointlypublished by Boy Scouts of America, U.S. Fire Administrationand International Fire Service Training Association, 1993)

Helping young people to develop theirown sense of values and ethics is not anissue to take lightly, particularly giventhe sometimes unclear nature of modernsociety’s cultural values and ethics. Anyorganized program in which youth partic-ipate is an opportunity for such learning.Young people observe and often modelthe behavior of adults in such circum-stances, placing an obligation on adultgroup leaders that they must understandand respect.

As important as the physical healthand safety issues is another set of safetyconcerns that might appear less obvi-ous, but that, nonetheless, pose danger.Physical abuse, hazing, molestation,inappropriate fraternization, andacquaintance rape can occur in adult-youth interactions, and every effort mustbe made to establish guidelines to pro-tect young people against those hazardsin any adult-youth organization. Systems

that offer protection against these poten-tial problems should be built into theorganization’s documentation, and theyshould be strictly enforced.

Examples of these systems includeinsisting that 1) at least two adultsalways be present with the group or anymembers of it, with personal confer-ences conducted in a public area or infull view of others; 2) appropriate priva-cy should be guaranteed for youth forsuch activities as showering and chang-ing clothes, with separate accommoda-tions for young men and women; 3) andproper clothing must be used for allactivities (for example, no skinny-dippingwhile on group recreational campouts).Keeping secrets and hazing should beprohibited; only constructive disciplineshould be applied. Finally, group officialsmust respond immediately, positivelyand appropriately, but without panic, todisclosures of abuse of any kind.**(from Fire and Emergency Services Program Helps, jointlypublished by Boy Scouts of America, U.S. Fire Administrationand International Fire Service Training Association, 1993)

Liability

The question of legal liability for youngpeople participating in any activity with afire department is a serious one.

Firefighting is a noble but dangerousbusiness, and voluntarily involving aminor in such an endeavor, howeverstrict the policies, regulations and theirenforcement, could be considered risky.


All activities of the group, includingsocial events taking place on fire depart-ment property, as well as group trainingand emergency incident activities,expose the department to potential lia-bilities.

Some of the organizations’ materialsreviewed in these pages have addressedthe liability question directly, promulgat-ing formal statements about liabilityissues for junior program members.Most, at least, include comprehensivesafety guidelines that presumably areintended to protect the organization’ssponsoring fire department, as well asthe youth members.

In one set of guidelines, for example,an organization states, "Explorers whoreceive injuries in the performance oftheir duty resulting from carelessness,willful neglect, or other causes on thepart of any person, firm, or corporation,shall not sign any release from liabilitywithout first obtaining permission fromthe post advisor." Another group has asimilar statement.

The documents from yet another orga-nization say, in what appears to be a nodto liability concerns, "An Explorerresponding to an emergency does so onhis or her own as a citizen."

Virtually every youth group requiressigned parental permission and liabilitywaivers. Some also require a physicalexamination to ensure the prospectivemember’s physical fitness to performthe activities of the organization. Oneprogram even requires that the medicalrelease be notarized. Another grouprequires a parental financial responsibili-ty form, along with the more commonactivity permission form. A few groupsrequire parental permission forms onlyfor participation in ride-alongs or certaintraining. One program requires a statework permit for minors (required for

minors in that state whenever theysecure paying jobs), which must besigned by the parent.

However, attorneys familiar with thefire service commonly question the realvalue of parental waivers in protectingfire departments from problems arisingfrom youth programs. What is the par-ent's reasonable understanding of thehazards posed by the child’s participa-tion in the program? How enforceablewill the waiver be if a problem arises?

In a presentation to a group of stateand municipal training officers at theNational Fire Academy, attorney VincentBrannigan suggested that providing anytraining other than classroom sessions toany person under 18 years of age posesa serious risk. "If an underage trainee somuch as trips over a fire hose withouteven being in the burning building," hesaid, or, "if he or she breaks an arm, youallowed that individual to be in a danger-ous environment." Then, in response tosurprise expressed by members of theaudience and numerous questions aboutscout or cadet firefighters, Branniganexplained further:

"It’s like statutory rape," he continued."If they're underage, you're liablebecause minors can’t be held fullyaccountable for their behavior. So, if youhave such a program as Explorer scouts,don't do anything with them except inthe classroom. Firefighting activities, rap-pelling, ride-alongs, even sliding downthe fire pole," he said, "expose the firedepartment, as well as the individualsinvolved in the activities, to liability."

Dispelling the last hope of many mem-bers of the audience, he added, "Aparental permission slip won't have theslightest effect if you’re negligent. It’s anoutgrowth of child labor laws. Parentscan’t approve their children working infactories, nor can parents consent to


statutory rape; there are laws that pro-tect underage people, even from theirparents."*

*(from Proceedings: 1988 National Conference, Training

Resources and Data Exchange, National Fire Academy)

Insurance

Clearly, given the inherent hazards ofthe activities undertaken, insuranceshould be provided to cover potentialproblems that might arise through thefire department youth program. How thisneed is handled varies from organizationto organization. In some instances, thesponsoring fire department pays theyouth group’s insurance fees; in others,a portion of the youth members’ duesand fees go toward providing insurance.Members of some youth programs arecovered by fire department insurance,even by Workers’ Compensation insur-ance, while participating in programs.

General liability insurance is providedby 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 ofduties performed in Exploring. Coveragethrough this program is for more than$15 million per occurrence for bodilyinjury and property damage, which is farbeyond most insurance covering theindividual through personal homeowner,auto, or other liability insurance.However, there is no insurance for inten-tional 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 automobile liabilityinsurance on his/her vehicle; buses and

vans should carry $100,000/300,000/$l00,000.*

*(from Fire and Emergency Services Program Helps, jointlypublished by Boy Scouts of America, U.S. Fire Administrationand International Fire Service Training Association, 1993)

Child labor laws

As noted by attorney VincentBrannigan in the section on liability, theapplicability of state child labor laws isof vital concern to anyone connectedofficially with a fire department youthprogram. Such laws vary from state tostate, and only a legal review by a com-petent local professional can ensurecompliance.

Only two of the programs reviewed inthis book specifically reference childlabor laws in their materials. One specifi-cally references limitations imposed bystate child labor laws in describing itsgroup’s program activities. The otherreports that it found it necessary tomaneuver within strict state regulationsand even to petition the state assemblyseeking more lenient child labor laws.

It is critical to understand and knowthe limitations on junior programsimposed by state laws.


This section presents a review of thoseelements that comprise a well-plannedfire department youth program. it wascompiled by borrowing outstanding ele-ments from the many different programsthat were examined as part of theresearch for this book. Because itbecame clear through the research thatcertain elements were, or should be,common facets of any youth program, itseemed that a review of sample ele-ments might be helpful to readers.

As stated in previous sections, thesematerials are provided for informationalpurposes only, while serving as exam-ples for those considering junior fire-fighter programs in their organizations.Each community must determine its ownneeds and interests and plan a cus-tomized program to meet them.

VFIS would like to extend a thank youto the organizations whose informationis included here.

Getting started

As with any new undertaking, the best,most concise advice to someone con-templating the start-up of a fire depart-ment youth program is common sense;start simply and grow slowly. The firststep should be to contact the fire chiefto determine whether the departmentwill accept the idea. It is likely that thechief will approve the idea and assign aliaison who will work with the personwho originated the idea.

A cadre of adult volunteer leaders willbe needed, including an advisor, oneassociate advisors, and a committee ofseveral adults. The committee shoulddevelop program ideas that will interestand enrich youth members and that thelocal fire department can support.Planning should be done several months

in advance and include a range of activi-ties and interest-producing events; spe-cial events should be included as annualor periodic milestones.

The fire department usually providesthe location for regular meetings andactivities and helps to recruit members.The group will elect its own officers onceit is established, and meetings should berun by the youth leaders, not the adults.Active participation and interest are thekeys to success.

Recruiting new members for the orga-nization will be an important effort. Tothe extent possible, linkages with thelocal school system, churches, existingyouth organizations, and neighborhoodgroups should be taken advantage of,and use the local media (newspapers,radio, and cable and broadcast televi-sion) should be used to get informationout about your group. Plan to distributeinformation more than once, perhapsevery three weeks for three or fourmonths, to reach the maximum possiblenumber of potential members. One orga-nization sends the letter shown on page18 to prospective members.


Key Program Elements


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. Afire department youth organizationshould have clearly defined intentions,stated in the form of a mission, goals,and purposes or objectives.

Explorer Post #905, affiliated with theSeminole (Florida) Fire Department, hasthe following mission statement as avital part of its bylaws:

The mission of Fire Explorer Post#905 shall be to promote, throughcommunity service and education,fire and emergency medical service,fire safety and fire prevention; andto allow its members to developfully individually through fire andemergency medical services train-ing, and put that training into ser-vice for the betterment of the com-munity and the fire service as awhole. The membership shall repre-sent the chartering organization,fire and emergency medical ser-vices, Exploring and Post #905 withdignity, honor and loyalty.

In similar fashion, the EllicottVolunteer Fire Department JuniorAuxiliary in Calhan, Colorado, has setthe following goals:

The objectives of this organiza-tion shall be to bring interestedyoung men and women together inactual benefit for property, leader-ship, moral character, self-disci-pline, education, and the better-ment of the community throughcommunity-minded service.

Program activities

Organizers should try to make meet-ings exciting even if, at first, only a fewpotential members show up by includingactivities, not just talk. Activities for

junior organizations can vary widelyaccording to whether the group will beinvolved in operational emergency inci-dent service, and, if so, in what capacity,or if they will provide support principallyoutside the emergency scene, or evenbe involved primarily in public fire andlife safety education. For the purposes ofthis document, VFIS will consider a com-prehensive, but middle-of-the-road,approach of a group that does not per-form firefighting services, but does assiston the emergency scene and also pro-vides public education services. The out-line for this list comes primarily from thePleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Depart-ment’s Junior Firefighter Explorer Post#14, which offers a broad program. Afew details were included from otherorganizations to provide additionalexamples within certain categories.

What do Explorers do?

• Many groups assist their sponsoring departments in a wide variety of ways, including:

• Washing and hanging hose and otherwise cleaning and organizing equipment after emergency calls

• Serving as "victims" for training sessions and drills

• Assisting with rehabilitation, retrieving equipment, resupplying SCBA, water supply, lighting, overhaul and salvage, and other support at emergency incidents

• Providing community assistance during such other emergencies as floods, power outages, hurricanes and severe winter storms

• Helping with yard and building maintenance around the fire station, or painting fire hydrants or clearing snow from them during winter.


• Training: Members’ training totaledmore than 500 hours in a recent year.Many groups receive training in allaspects of safety, communication, firescience, equipment and apparatus, andoperations, as well as first aid, CPR andEMT training, and special rescue training.Members have participated in trainingfor "Scene Teams" (emergency airlift heli-copter landing zone) vehicle extrication,first responder support, basic firefight-ing, high-angle rope rescue, confinedspace rescue, and emergency medicaltechnician and weekly local fire depart-ment procedures.

(Remember, each department mustcheck the appropriate state laws todetermine whether junior members mayparticipate in certain activities.)

• Public Education: Members partici-pated with volunteer fire departments inthe community at the local school duringFire Prevention Week. They assisted withdemonstrations, helped with showingequipment, handed out fliers and per-formed other tasks. Many groups providefire and life safety education support,including operating fire safety demon-stration trailers and other props andassisting in installing smoke detectors inlow-income or elderly housing.

• Fundraisers: Explorer posts spon-sored several car washes, bake sales,hamburger and hot dog sales, babysit-ting services and other events to raisedues and often uniform or equpmentfunds for the fire departments’ juniorprograms. Other groups have sold fireextinguishers, and sold food and bever-ages at fairs and sporting events. Onegroup held a fundraising event at a localcomedy club.

• Community service: The Explorerpost sponsored 12 families, most withchildren, by providing food, toys, cloth-ing and other items for the holidays.Members placed boxes at local groceryand other stores, collecting food andother items, posted signs for monetarycontributions and solicited donations ofsome items. Several groups have assist-ed local fire, rescue and emergencymedical service organizations in drink-ing-and-driving prevention programs forarea high school students. Members ofother groups have assisted with daycamps for disabled children, visitednursing homes, participated in communi-ty clean-up days, provided refreshmentstations for local road races and similarevents, presented Halloween parties andhaunted houses for area children, andparticipated in various fire departmentfund drives, for example, the MuscularDystrophy boot drive, and collected alu-minum cans to benefit burned childrenand others.

• Awards and recognition: The postheld a recognition dinner for all firedepartments in its mutual aid area, aswell as emergency medical and rescuesquads. Members and their parents pro-vided all supplies and then presented avariety show. Each represented agencywas thanked for its teamwork and coop-eration and was presented with a certifi-cate acknowledging its contribution to


the community and the program. Inreturn, the post was awarded a serviceplaque. Members and advisors have initi-ated an annual award to a member whoexemplifies the mission of the post.

• Public relations: The post sent holi-day greeting cards to each family that isaffiliated with the sponsoring fire depart-ment and other key figures in the coun-ty. Members prepare and distribute aquarterly newsletter to each member ofthe sponsoring fire department, all advi-sors, all post members, and other areafire and rescue organizations. The postdeveloped a membership package that isgiven to all applicants containing anapplication for membership, newspaperclippings, rules and regulations, bylawsand the history of the post.

• Resource listing: The post laid thefoundation for a countywide resourcelisting that identifies specific individualswho can offer particular types of training,certifications or skills and provides infor-mation for contacting them in an emer-gency.

The key to a successful program—aprogram that attracts the genuine inter-est of members and prospective mem-bers—is careful advance planning toensure a beneficial learning experience,an appropriate level of fun, and ade-quate safety precautions.*

*(from Fire and Emergency Services Program Helps, jointlypublished by Boy Scouts of America, U.S. Fire Administrationand International Fire Service Training Association, 1993)

Organizational Structure andAdministration

A constitution and bylaws normallycreate a structure within which an orga-nization will function. Because thesedocuments form the foundation uponwhich everything else about the organi-zation is constructed, they are extremelyimportant to the success of the organiza-tion.

These formative documents will defineas many details as possible about thegroup, including the official name, mem-bership expectations and requirements,schedule for meetings and training ses-sions, assignment of duties and respon-sibilities, structure of officers and com-mittees, disciplinary regulations and pro-cedures, and other elements.

One important element that warrantscareful planning and should be spelledout clearly in the document supportingthe youth group concerns the adult advi-sors who will support the youthful mem-bers. The majority of the youth firedepartment groups are organized andrun by the youth themselves, but theadult advisors provide vital assistance.Several of the groups VFIS researchedcall for a minimum of two adult advisorsor one advisor for every 10 junior mem-bers or portion thereof over 10. Even fora smaller group, given the need to pro-tect both youth and advisors from thepotential for abuse problems, it is bestto ensure involvement of two advisors atall times.

Most groups require that adult advisorsbe active members of the sponsoringfire department, some adding that theyshould have at least two years’ activefire/rescue, emergency medical or auxil-iary service; some state that theyattempt to include female advisors. Inmost cases, advisors and assistant advi-sors must be over 21 years of age. Mostgroups require, and state in the bylawsor regulations, that advisors must attendall cadet functions. Some groups specifythat each advisor will be responsible foran element of cadet activity: training,treasury, secretarial, maintenance orspecial activities. One group specifiesthat senior youth members can serve asadvisory board members, enabling themto develop and refine leadership andadministrative skills to prepare them to


become adult advisors if they desire.

The structure of elected and appointedofficials as well as the scheduling andconduct of elections, terms of office,and responsibilities of officers aredefined clearly in the constitution. Asstated earlier, different organizationstake different approaches to the officerranks, with some applying civil titles(president, vice president, secretary,treasurer) while others apply fire depart-ment ranks (chief, assistant chiefs, cap-tains, lieutenants) or a combination ofthe two types. In addition to these stan-dards, VFIS finds some interesting twists:e.g., librarians, historians, safety offi-cers, training officers, public informationofficers, and post photographers. Somegroups call for officers to serve three-month probations in their offices. Onegroup’s constitution states that it will cre-ate one captain and one lieutenant forevery five Explorers; in some organiza-tions, tactical positions are opened onan "as-needed" basis.

In most instances, all officers areelected directly by the youth member-ship, though in one case they are select-ed by the senior fire department leader-ship and the junior fire department advi-sor from names submitted by the youthmembers. In one case, the civil officersare elected by the group and, in turn,elect a chief and assistant chief, whothen appoint a captain and a lieutenant.

The outline of a constitution shown onthe following pages is a representativesample. It illustrates the general frame-work of such a document, without pro-viding excess detail. Those seeking toorganize a local youth group will want toassess local needs carefully and developa customized constitution and other sup-porting 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 proffer 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 members,naturally, parallels the activities that thegroup will undertake. Those who be-come involved in emergency supportactivities receive a broad range of train-ing in emergency services, while thosewho perform public education functionsreceive training that focuses more dis-tinctly in that area.

In those groups that do becomeinvolved in emergency field activities,training generally covers every aspect ofthe fire service, ranging from what thefire service is and how fire departmentsoperate, to the technical details of fireprevention, suppression, emergencymedical, and such specialty areas ashazardous materials and technical res-cue. Training tends to be extensive,sometimes as much as 10 hours permonth. The most common schedulecalls for biweekly training sessions dur-ing the school year (September throughJune), each one to two hours long, and aseries of weekly summertime trainingsessions (June to September).

Most groups call for an initial proba-tionary period, often designated as oneyear, during which the new membermust complete a specified level or a des-ignated number of hours of training.Members usually must have completedan initial probationary period and allspecified training, and must have passedwritten and oral examinations in speci-fied areas in order to be permitted toparticipate in ride-along programs orrespond to fire calls. Attendance is nor-mally mandatory at training sessions,with almost every group calling for disci-plinary action against members whomiss more than a few sessions.

Some youth organizations' membersare permitted or even required to attendtraining drills with the sponsoring firedepartment. Some exceptions to thisinclude exemptions during school hoursor while school is in session; one groupprohibits youth participation in trainingor drills during periods of school mid-term and final exams. Certain kinds oftraining are also prohibited for mostyouth members, including involvementwith large training fires, hazardous mate-rials, large hoselines and high ladders.One youth organization states that it willgrant credit for training to those mem-bers who are also on volunteer statuswith area volunteer fire departments.

The quality of training is held in highregard by the youth organizations. Most


of the surveyed groups specify in theirbylaws or regulations that all training forthe youth be conducted by state-certifiedfire instructors, and that all youth train-ing be aligned with NFPA Firefighter I, orbe based on standardized manuals fromthe International Fire Service TrainingAssociation.

The range of training offered to juniorfire department members extends fromcommunication to hazardous materialsand emergency medical training. Onegroup’s training is outlined at three lev-els:

1. Orientation, safety, apparatus intro-duction, fire science, communications;

2. Tools and equipment, hoselines andappliances, hoselays, ladders, ropes andknots, 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 special-ized training as preparation to assist theregion's medical center flight service,search and rescue, and rescues involvinghigh-angle ropes, rivers, mass casualties,trenches, air crashes, and dives and ice,to name a few.

The training outline that follows illus-trates a typical and moderately compre-hensive approach to training for a firedepartment youth organization. Thosewho establish a junior firefighter pro-gram must direct serious attention todeveloping a sound training programthat is supported thoroughly by carefullywritten, measurable objectives and isevaluated and assessed by fair and real-istic testing.

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

South Carolina

Class I: Introductory level, primarily con-cerned with acquainting the newExplorer with fire service operations. Thetraining, testing and issuance of theClass I Identification card is performedat the station level by the Post Advisor.

l. Orientation and administration

• Explorer bylaws, rules and regulations

• Basic duties of a junior firefighter

• The need for fire prevention

• Department 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 the basicmanipulative methods and techniquesused by firefighters when performingemergency work. It also deals with theappropriate use of basic fire departmentterminology. The training and testing willbe performed by the company officer atthe station level under the supervision of


the training officer assigned to theExplorer 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 proper loading techniques

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 auto extri-cation training

Class III: This class deals with advancedmanipulative skills, techniques, and ter-minology a trained Explorer would needto know to be a member of an in-serviceengine company. The training is given atthe local level and is supplemented withwhatever special drills and classes theExplorer can attend. The testing forClass III is done by the training officerassigned to the Explorer program. It con-sists of a two-hour written examination.

Upon successfully completing theexam with a score of 70 percent or bet-ter, a Class III Identification Card andCertificate are issued by the training offi-cer, providing all other requirementshave 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 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 activities.Any fire department – connected activityhas the potential for danger, and involv-ing young people in such activitiesrequires extreme caution. In recognitionof this reality, safety is a key part of virtu-ally every program; a few groups evenhave separate youth safety officers.

Most groups’ documentation statesclearly that all safety equipment mustmeet fire department standards; severalspecifically reference compliance withNFPA Standard 1500. Virtually everygroup’s regulations require that all safetyequipment be kept clean and main-tained properly by the youth membersand be used and worn properly.

The Fire Explorer Safety Policy, thatfollows has been adopted verbatim bymany youth organizations. It was devel-oped initially by the Orange County

[California] Fire, Forestry and RescueDepartment and was endorsed subse-quently by the International Associationof Fire Chiefs 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 and wear safety belts.

• 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, or 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 compa-nies with the approval of the company officer and may respond on emergency calls.

• 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 the 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 the Explorer Fire Service Safety Policy Fire ExploringProgram Guide

Another critical safety issue in thisstressful age is the matter of keepingyouth safe from unscrupulous or unbal-anced adults who prey on young people.Many groups acknowledge the need toprotect both youth and adult advisorsfrom any possibility for abuse or accusa-tions of abuse. Several include state-ments concerning this issue in the con-stitution or other group documents.

Rules, regulations, and discipline

The success of any organizationdepends on guidelines. Without regula-tions and a code of discipline, anarchyrules. Young people need clear and con-sistent rules in all situations. In a poten-tially hazardous environment in whichyoung people are seeking to learn aboutthe adult world that awaits them, theseguidelines are especially important. At aminimum, even the most informal juniorfirefighter organizations state clearly intheir guidelines that all youth membersmust obey all orders of the sponsoringfire department, advisors, fire officersand firefighters. Some groups simply ref-erence rules and regulations of thesenior fire department; others haveestablished their own individual sets ofguidelines.


In almost every organization, failure toabide by specified rules and regulationsresults in the loss of privileges, mostnotably, and probably most meaningful-ly, the prohibition of offenders from par-ticipating in ride-along and emergencyresponse activities. Most commonly,youth members can be suspended forneglect of duty, for "unbecoming con-duct," or for violations of the group’srules and regulations.

In addition to requirements that youthmembers obey all orders of the seniorfire department’s command structureand demonstrate behavior appropriate toa paramilitary organization, other univer-sal rules include prohibitions on the useof alcohol or other drugs when in uni-form or on fire department premises,and entering the firehouse under theinfluence of same. Smoking by youthmembers on fire department property isgenerally forbidden as well.

For those groups permitted to partici-pate in emergency responses, specificrules universally require that, whenresponding to fire calls, young membersobey all traffic laws and use the mostdirect route. In most cases, the mem-bers are to report to the fire station, notdirectly to the emergency scene. Onegroup states that members can gostraight to calls only if the call isbetween the member’s home and thefire station. Once on the fire scene, virtu-ally every group’s rules forbid juniormembers to enter a burning structure,although one junior group actually per-forms as the small community’s fire pro-tection force when no other volunteersare available. Another common rulerequires members to keep their ownsafety equipment cleaned and main-tained regularly.

Another common category of rules andregulations pertains to young members’

academic responsibilities. Many groupsprohibit junior members from being pre-sent in the firestation during schoolhours or after 9 p.m. on school nights.Several specify that members’ schoolgrades must remain at or above average.One states that members can requesttutoring through the program in order tohelp them achieve and maintain ade-quate progress.

Several groups specify that youngmembers are not permitted in the radioroom or to use fire department radios ortelephones. Others simply specify thatjunior members learn and use propertelephone and radio etiquette and termi-nology.

A few groups state clearly that no dis-crimination based on race, gender,national origin, creed, age, or physicaldisability will not be tolerated.

The sample rules and regulations thatfollow provide an overview of the scopeof 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 precaution-ary 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 that 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 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 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 that 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 youth orga-nizations tend to mirror those of thesponsoring fire department. Designatedprocedures usually are spelled out in thebylaws or regulations, detailing the prop-er methods for lodging complaints, han-dling infractions and handing out punish-ment when appropriate. Lower-leveloffenses typically are handled by verbalcorrection or reprimand. Some groupsspecify that serious cases involvingexpulsion or suspension must be basedon a written charge, signed by the mem-ber making the charge, read in an openmeeting, and referred to senior advisors.A few state that a two-thirds vote of themembership is required for expulsion,except on a third offense. Some groupshave established a youth board ofinquiry that considers all disciplinaryactions and operations; in these cases,the board can suspend, dismiss, or vin-dicate. An adult advisor sometimesserves as an active or non-voting mem-ber of such a committee.

The following sample disciplinary poli-cy represents a moderate approach thatwould be solidly workable, although amore extensive policy has been devel-oped by some organizations.

Sample SOP for disciplinary action

Fern Creek Fire Department ExplorerPost #710, Louisville, Kentucky

The purpose of this SOP is to outlinethe disciplinary action that this post willtake in certain situations warranting adisciplinary action, 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 serious situations.

• Punishment: Any task or service hours the advisor deems adequate for the offense. If you are an officer, you 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 permit-ted on fire department property for one month.

Termination

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

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

• Punishment: You will no longer retain membership.

If the member’s record remains clearfor one year after disciplinary action, hisor her record will be cleared. Terminatedmembers can apply for reconsiderationafter nine months of absence.

Summary

The key to establishing and organizinga structure for a fire department youth

program is to think in a methodical wayabout what elements are required inorder to provide an appropriate frame-work for the organization. The elementsdescribed in this section are relativelycomprehensive, though not necessarily exhaustive. Consider what kind of orga-nization you hope to create and beginbreaking down the concept in your mindinto the parts it will encompass.

It is also wise to establish contactswith those who are involved with similarprograms in other communities, to dis-cuss with them what they might do dif-ferently if they were starting over again,and to learn what pitfalls or problemsthey have encountered, how they han-dled them and, even more important,how they could have been avoided.

While it is feasible to revise andexpand the organizational structure andguidelines after the group is establishedand functioning, the more you can havein place at the outset, the more smooth-ly the group will operate. While it isdetailed and time-consuming work, plan-ning is still far easier than fixing.


ConclusionsJunior firefighters can provide a wide

range of concrete and personal benefitsto fire departments. They can help withroutine duties, including public fire/lifesafety education and other preventionactivities, ancillary functions on theemergency scene and other departmentactivities. The program provides opportu-nities for community and public rela-tions, as well as outlets for personal sat-isfaction for those adult members whochoose to work with the groups.

Last, but by no means least, a juniorgroup affiliated with a fire departmentcan provide highly motivated and knowl-edgeable recruits for regular firefighteropenings. Given the increasingly chal-lenging task of recruiting and retainingdevoted volunteer firefighters in today’scommunities, this benefit might be seenas the driving consideration.

Among the junior fire department pro-grams researched for this book, thenumber of youth members who havegone on to become adult firefightersranged from one to 150. Two programs,only one year old, already had convertedat least one former member toadult/active firefighter status; two oth-ers, established more than 25 years ago,have converted as many as 100 mem-bers. One organization has produced 46volunteer and 22 career firefighters with-in its county since the program’s estab-lishment; another reports a 70 percentrate of conversion, while yet anotheraverages four conversions per year.

In one sponsoring fire department,half of all current fire officers and one-third of all current firefighters came fromthe department’s youth program.Another junior program has producedtwo fire chiefs for its sponsoring depart-ment.

Several youth organizations reportedhaving "many" members go on tobecome firefighters, though the exactnumbers were not known. Almost everyprogram, no matter how new or howsmall, has resulted in at least some,from a few to a dozen, members becom-ing firefighters.

The quality of these youth-to-adult con-version firefighters is high. The motiva-tion that developed among the young-sters appears to have translated intodeep motivation in an adult affiliationwith the fire department. Every youthprogram advisor who commented onthis matter praised the dedication of thefirefighters who came into the depart-ment from the youth programs. Severalmembers of youth programs later wonvalor or lifesaving awards as adult fire-fighters.

While it will take time and energy tocreate and supervise a youth programsponsored by a fire department, hun-dreds of fire departments across NorthAmerica appear to consider the payoff tobe worth the investment. A carefullyplanned, well thought-out and effectivelymanaged junior fire/emergency serviceprogram can have big benefits for a firedepartment. It can contribute to commu-nity support, to a sense of personalreward among adult members and toone of the most important "bottom lines"in the volunteer fire service today ...membership numbers.


Alabama

Suggested contacts:

Forestry Commission513 Madison Avenue Montgomery, Alabama 36130-3631

Fire College & Personnel Commission2015 McFarland Boulevard EastTuscaloosa, Alabama 35405

Attorney General11 South Union StreetMontgomery, Alabama 36130

Alaska

Suggested contacts:

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

Commission of LaborDepartment of LaborJuneau, Alaska 99811

Arizona

Suggested contact:

Industrial Commission1601 West JeffersonPhoenix, Arizona 85005

Arkansas

Suggested contact:

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

California

Suggested contact:

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

Colorado

Suggested contact:

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

Connecticut

Suggested contact:

Attorney GeneralMacKenzie Hall110 Sherman StreetHartford, Connecticut 06105-2294

Delaware

Suggested contact:

State Fire Prevention Commission1461 Chestnut Grove RoadDover, Delaware 19904

Florida

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal200 East Gaines StreetTallahassee, Florida 32399-0340

Georgia

Suggested contact:

Attorney General40 Capitol Square SWAtlanta, Georgia 30334-1300


Appendix I

State-by-State Contact Information for Child Labor Laws Affecting Junior Firefighters

Hawaii

Suggested contact:

Director of Labor and IndustryHonolulu, Hawaii 96822

Idaho

Suggested contacts:

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

Boise City Fire Department3705 Kinswood DriveBoise, Idaho 83704

Illinois

Suggested contact:

Attorney General500 South Second StreetSpringfield, Illinois 62706

Indiana

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

Suggested contacts:

Attorney General Hoover Building Des Moines, Iowa 50319

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

Kansas

Suggested contact:

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

Kentucky

Suggested contact:

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

Louisiana

Suggested contacts:

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

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

Maine

Suggested contacts:

Attorney GeneralState House Station 6Augusta, Maine 04333

Department of Labor20 Union StreetAugusta, Maine 04330

Maryland

Suggested contacts:

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

Attorney General 200 Saint Paul PlaceBaltimore, MD 21202-2021


Massachusetts

Suggested contact:

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

Michigan

Suggested contact:

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

Minnesota

Suggested contact:

Attorney General102 State CapitolSt. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1002

Mississippi

Suggested contacts:

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

Mississippi Insurance Department1001 Woolfolk State Office Building501 N. West St.Jackson, MS 39201

Missouri

Suggested contact:

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

Montana

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

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(402) 595-3997

Nevada

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

Suggested contacts:

Department of Labor95 Pleasant StreetConcord, New Hampshire 03301

Attorney General33 Capitol StreetConcord, New Hampshire 03301-6397

New Jersey

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

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

Suggested contact:

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

North Carolina

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

Suggested contacts:

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

Fire MarshalNorthbrook Mall1929 North WashingtonBismarck, North Dakota 58501-1616

Ohio

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

Suggested contacts:

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

Department of Labor4001 North Lincoln BoulevardOklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105


Oregon

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal4760 Portland Road NESalem, Oregon 97305-1760

Pennsylvania

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

Suggested contact:

Attorney General72 Pine StreetProvidence, Rhode Island 02903

South Carolina

Suggested contact:

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

South Dakota

Suggested contact:

Attorney General’s Office(605) 773-3215

Tennessee

Suggested contacts:

Tennessee Professional Association ofFirefighters (615) 889-7250

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

Attorney General450 James Robertson ParkwayNashville, Tennessee 37243-0485

Texas

Suggested contacts:

Firemen's and Fire Marshal’s Associationof Texas807 Stark StreetAustin, Texas 78756

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

Utah

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal’s Office (801) 284-6350

Vermont

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

Suggested contacts:

Department of Fire ProgramsInvestigations and Inspections2807 Parham RoadRichmond, Virginia 23294

Attorney General900 East Main StreetRichmond, Virginia 23219

Washington

Suggested contact:

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

West Virginia

Suggested contact:

State Fire Marshal2100 Washington Street East Charleston, West Virginia 25305

Wisconsin

Suggested contact:

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

Wyoming

Suggested contact:

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


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