Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dolph Holmes on February 25, 2011 at 3:48pm

Ashley, a lot of it is controlled by state laws. Each state can have a different way of implementing and acting on these laws. In Maine the Bureau of Labor sets standards for firefighters and the age restrictions on what can be done is spelled out in their regulations.
Having said that each fire department can make rules that are more stringent depending on their ability to monitor the working conditions of the juniors. The health and safety of a minor should be VERY important to a fire company and I would be very leery of a department that did not have restrictions on their Junior members.
Hope this answers your question.

Permalink Reply by Ashley Renee Miller on February 25, 2011 at 5:19pm

Yeah it did Thanks :).....NY must not have very strict laws...I say this because in the department that I just got approved for membership by must be really laid back when it comes to restricting juniors...I was told by line officers that there juniors (I.E. me...I'm the only junior) will be used as a firefighter with a few restrictions but not many...They said that whatever classes I choose to take (after I complete my firefighter 1 ) I'll get certs from thoes classes an thus allowng me to do more....Was jut curious as to if it were state laws alone that restricted juniors or if it were diffrent companies and how they viewed there junior programs and what their juniors should be exposed too.

Permalink Reply by James Hawk on March 5, 2011 at 9:09pm

New York State, with the exception of the B.S.A. Explorer program, does not recognize a group known as "junior firefighters". you either are a firefighter, or you are not a firefighter. because firefighters are considered municipal employees when on duty, child labor laws do not apply.

what you are allowed or not allowed to do on a fire scene in New York is governed by department rules or by-laws. In New York you can attend FireFighter 1 training at 16 with parents permission. this includes live fire training.

Permalink Reply by Dolph Holmes on March 6, 2011 at 1:59pm

Thanks James for the NY clarification. I was on the EMS side in NY so did not realize that! The BSA Explorer program is recognized in most places because there is great oversight. Good luck Ashley and keep learning from all sources.

Permalink Reply by Stephen Messer on March 29, 2011 at 9:53pm

Unfortunately, we have had to curtail some of the activities that our "Fire Service Explorers" (BSA Explorer Post) could participate in due to legal opinions determined by the city's legal department. The lawyers were concerned about liability. Understand their concern; however, it's sad that we have to worry about that kind of thing when dealing with our youth who want to be firefighters someday.

Permalink Reply by Travis Skinner on April 11, 2011 at 9:37am

im allowed to do alot i fight brush and wildland fires and structures at times if they need help.