We have 4 cadets they are not issued turnouts because of liability issues . At another dept close to us the cadets are given turnouts one of these boys is 6'2" and 200+ . I worry that someone will grab up the youngster and get him in the hot zone . There are no marking showing them as cadets . Do you issue turnouts and do you have any special markings identifying them ?
We had a great Cadet program. The first we had 9 young men. They could start at 12. They were issued gear and RED helmets. The rule was one per 3 FF's or 2 in district with 4 FF's. And they had to stay with the driver.
There were times when I got to the firehouse and there were 8 red helmets sitting in the back and had to chase them all off so not to hurt feelings. They did crew an engine once in district for a small fuel spill.
Of the orginal 9- one works for Anne Arundel County, all have turned out to fine upstanding young men. (including my son)
Permalink Reply by Bull on September 20, 2008 at 7:20pm
We have Jr FF's. Age 16-17. They are allowed to go to fire calls, and they are issued gear. They are NOT allowed within 100 ft of the structure unless asked to retrieve something, then they must come back right away. Everyone knows everyone around here, even in surrounding tows, so when someone is new, we all know. We do not allow them to go on MVA's until they are 18. We dont believe that they need to be exposed to some graphic scenes at a young age, not that 18 may be better, but...they are considered an adult at that stage in life. I believe that gear would be a good thing, but thats just my opinion.