Junior S.O.G.'s

[firefighter32]

Anyone that has a junior program at their station please let me know if you guys like it or dislike it. I would also appreciate some rules and regulations that you guys have for them.... The only reason I'm asking i because we would like to start them at our station, but we need more info, and I would like some from everywhere, not just locally from our area. So any information is appreciated.....

Thanks, and Stay Safe!!

[FGFD43]

We have had a Jr. program for over twenty and I feel it has really helped out the department and the kids a lot. I think it is one of the biggest reasons we have the quantity and quality of members we have. E-mail me and I will be glad to send out copies of our Jr. papewrwork. Good Luck.

[Adze39]

The Junior program is a great entity. We have had it since 1971. A majority of our active members have come out of the junior division. 2 out of 3 Captains were Juniors and 5 out of 6 Lieutenants were Juniors.

Unfortunately you tend to get bad apples every now and then, but the junior division gives you a chance to weed them out before they become regular members.

As for the transition from Junior to Regular member, in our department it is automatic when they turn 18. In some other FD's in the area, they have to go for a vote.

One of the good things is that you have a chance to train them before they are allowed to do certain things (thanks to OSHA). So when they turn 18, you don't have to worry if they have your back on a line cuz you know they know what they are doing.

To become a junior in our FD, you have to be 14. The other FD in my town lowered their age to 13 from 14, just so the chief's son could join.

[Guest]

We have a junior (Explorer) program in our area. It is for anyone ages 14-20, and is a great learning experience for those interested in the fire service. Unlike many of the other posts I have read on junior programs (not in this forum but others), our juniors are not allowed on any of the appratus or on the fire ground with the exception of a major incident and then it is to assist us in packing up hose and filling air packs.

[bobsnyder]

For the most part, our SOG on Juniors follows PA state law on the subject. If you're interested in that, do the following:

1. Go to the web site of the PA Dept. of Labor & Industry at:

PA Dept. of Labor & Industry

2. On the left, click on the link for "Laws and Regulations"

3. Find the PDF Download link for "Child Labor Law" and download it (you need Acrobat Reader)

4. The rules specific to Junior Firefighters are in their own section of Act 177 (the Child Labor Law), Section 7.3. Other parts of the act apply, too, so you need to be aware of that if you're in PA (e.g. they have to file "working papers" with the fire co., just like they would at McDonalds or wherever else they might work part time).

Our junior SOG also include additional items, most notably the one about "juniors must yield positions on the aerials to senior firefighters".

Good Luck!