With the recent death of 17 year old Roy Smith III, a volunteer firefighter for McGayhesville and Shenandoah, VA, it raises the question of minimum age for full membership on fire departments.
So, what are some of the MINIMUM requirements for membership, including the age of the candidate?
And please take a moment to remember this young man whose dream was to work for FDNY.
TCSS.
Art
Wow my condolences thoughts and prayers go out to the family and his station members on such a young loss
well in my department we let them join at 16 jr. but they must be 18 and pass firefighting 1 school to be active in the department and on fire grounds
Are there any states that have minimum age for full status firefighters?
What does your fire department insurance company say about minimum age?
TCSS.
Art
I would think the insurance companies would underline more of an age requirement for full duty status. We have a Junior firefighter program for those aged 14 through their 18th birthday. They have specific guidelines for what they can't do on fire scenes and MVA's. With this LODD I am sure we will see a change come across the board.
Full active membership minimum is 18. We have a Jr. program for 15 - 18. Jr. members are not allowed into IDLH areas at any time, although they are allowed on the apparatus if there is an open seat. On the scene they observe, assist the IC or rehab. We use the child labor laws as a guideline.
My deepest sympathies to his family friends and fellow fire fighters.
Our department lets you jion at 16 and when you turn 18 you are a full active fire fighter.
When they get into the department we start training them on hose rolls, changing air cylinders and then they have to go to fire school as soon as it is availibale.
Thank you all for the replies thus far.
Do you all see a pattern?
It appears that 18 years old seems to be the age of preference for full membership.
In my mind, someone younger than 18 would be a junior/explorer/cadet.
But, I know out East in like the Carolinas, younger members are allowed. I remember reading an article a few years back where an ambulance driver for a volunteer ambulance service in North Carolina was 16 years old. Does anyone else remember that story? There was an issue, but I can't recall off of the top of my head what it was.
Someone hit "refresh".
TCSS.
Art
Im a Captain at a volunteer fire department in South Carolina, and The department I belong to has an age limit of 18, but the state has made a new rule allowing 16 y/o to take classes and get involved in training sessions. If im correct the Fire Chief can omni domnie anyone wanting to be on the fire department. I feel that 21 should be the legal age! more of a prefence than anything!