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Junior FF running calls!
I have a question for the more experienced people here. I have been wanting to restart our Jr. FF program, but several qustions have came up alot when talking with the chief and other FF wanting to help. One of the major ones was what about them running calls. The old rules state which calls they can run and what not, but most Jr.s have a parent in the dept. and can run the calls with them. I want the program to get larger and have kids that may not have a parent inside the dept. I had said if they want to run calls, and they have no parent in the dept. they must be at the station during working hours(we have a paid guy at the station 12hrs a day, 7 days a week.) My chief just kept saying they wont stay interested if they cant run calls. I dont think thats what the program is about. its about learning and seeing what we do for the community. Another question that came up was if they cant run calls then what we gonna do to keep them interested in the program. Ive though of some ideas but the chief just isnt to interested or something. I dont know. If anyone can give some help and what i can do to keep kids interested in the program and ways to start and keep a good program, please help.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Well Justin, you basically answered your own question by saying its about learning and seeing what we do for the community.
There is more to such a program than running calls and if running calls hinges on people being "interested" then is a program really worth it? You see when I was an explorer you had to earn the privelage of doing a ride along, and you did this by showing maturity, etc at the meetings and trainings.
Now I won't say that explorers and juniors shouldn't run calls nor be on a scene, but I DO draw the line at what they are allowed to do, which is OBSERVE. Kids do not have to be working on the fireground or performing "exterior" operations or anything like that, they should be married to the rig they rode in with or with the IC.
If making ride alongs a privelage, then kids will tend to actually focus on the lessons and show maturity to be able to experience a real emergency from a safe distance. They will tend to pay attention to what is being taught and there are things you can do in a nice controlled environment that keeps intrest up. Explorers can practice with ground ladders, they can flow water, they can learn extrication and so forth, but there is no need to do this on a fireground and no reason that running calls is the ONLY factor to keep interest.
I would also like to add that the biggest challenge may be to enforce the rule on all explorers, even those with parents on the dept, but if you want success, the playing field needs to be level. As for calls, if it is medical in nature, there is no reason whatsoever for a minor to be on scene. There are just too many variables for such incidents, from privacy laws, to exposures. -
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Justin - check out this link: http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/juniors-and-explorers...
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Permalink Reply by cadet 911 on
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my dept lets use run every thing but ems calls . we are aloud to run intill 10pm on school night and anytime when not in school.i have been on for 1 year of a program and it been great .best choice of my life.hpe this helps.
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Permalink Reply by Peter Yacovone on
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I let my JR's run calls. Go by what your state law says and teach them what they can and cant do. Be firm with them and they will pay off. I am down two three now wish I had three more to keep around them JR's do a hell of a lot more work than some older guys do.
It not easy but you will get some good kids out off it and when they are old enough to go full tilt they will be ready for the big show. If you have anymore qustion contact me thru here be glad to help out. If you check out my page a lot of the pictures are the JR's -
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Permalink Reply by Axman28 on
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We have just started an Explorer group here in Maine. After extensive research, we found that the best opportunity with the minimal investment,(INSURANCE!!) was to go under the guise of the BSA.
As far as calls go, that is something that is down the road for the group, and we have been up front with what they can and cannot do, My son is part of the Juniors, has been on calls, but understands that it is not a common occurence.
What we do with the juniors is this:
We are teaching them the the Jones & Bartlett course. We are currently working Block one and they are able to do all of that block without any issues. As blocks progress and they pass the written exams, we try to incorporate as much of the practical as we can, safely and within the parameters that are set from the course and what State Child Labor Laws allow. When they turn 18, we will review and finish the rest!
We also bring them to fire scenes, after the fact. With owner permission, and under the supervision of the department, we walk them through the entire scene from beginning to end. Entry is not common into structure but they get a good sense of the scene within a safe distance.We explain the size up and attack, the problems that arose and how we overcame them. We also talk of what we did well and what we could have done better. Point of origin is discussed,if it can be detected, fire pattern etc.
Fundraising is also something that we are putting an emphasis on. Departments in our are are mostly volunteer, with tiny budgets, so whatever they raise is their money to spend on shirts, tags, gear and training costs.. Some outdated gear has been donated by the departments and they are grateful for the donations. In turn their fundraising is geared toward the community. Here is an example:
They are currently doing a raffle with items, gift cards, $50 in oil, Free review of taxes, etc., from local merchants. Their intention was to have a spaghetti dinner with the drawing of the raffle to commence at the end of the dinner. We had a fire a couple weeks back that burned out the business of a member of our community that has long been a fixture in the community, as well as being on one of our local fire departments for 25+ years. At their meeting on Sunday, they voted to have the proceeds of the Spaghetti Supper be donated to that person! They will still keep the proceeds of the raffle for the Juniors.
There is a lot that Juniors can do to feel involved without actually being on scenes! -
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Permalink Reply by Justin Blythe on
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I agree. I was a police cadet for 2 years, with the promise we would get to do ride alongs one day. I never got to do them, but i just loved to be involved with it. Ive been talking with my chief, but hes just not as interested. Im just gonna see how it plays out.
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Permalink Reply by rene edwards on
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im there only jr. in ma department and i know alot i completed a fitness test in 6.41 when other ff. couldnt jf are useful tools they sohuld know the engine from top to bottom i can tell u the best part of bein a jr. is knowing u helped out knowing the ur part of the team i feel pround of myself and ma crew everytime i help out jr. are the future of fire figthing and should learn by see the action i think the ur jr. should be aloud to run calls i do i can run any call
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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Rene........hi. I'm sure you had something important and relevant to contribute, but dude, you lost me. I got a few things you were saying, but it got confusing. I can't speak for everyone in here, but I would bet that some may feel the same. I was wondering if you could clarify what you were saying so others like myself can understand what you were trying to say.
I know that you understand completely what you are saying, because you wrote it, but others may not.. And really, do you think that is the right way to communicate your thoughts? It's one long sentence with mis-spelled and abreviated words and no separation of subjects.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not coming down on you, but so everyone can understand what you are saying, just take a little more time and think about it and write it properly. -
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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Lutan you are correct. That being said I agree with what some of the others say. Our jr. program exists with no responses allowed They are allowed to respond to the station and monitor calls, refill the tanker if we are close to our station refill station, man the compressor to refill air tanks and be available for cleaning equipment at the station. This policy is made clear from the start.
We make the training interesting ,test and keep track of their scores and responses and set goals including education standards. Some quit but I feel we keep the good ones. We allow them to have their own ppe (it's old gear passed down but suitable for training ) but their helmets are blue a color not used in our area so if they ever show up at a SCENE THEY ARE RECOGNIZED BY ALL AND HEAVEN HELP THEM!
They are regularly issued certificates of acheivment and recognition.I also like the idea of taking them to the scene after it's out that seems benificial.Currently they attend the briefings we hold after an incident and this outing may further encourage their participation and training. -
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Permalink Reply by Lou Anne on
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WE have a Jr firefighter program at our station. The Jr. firefighter can make runs if they can get to the fire scene buy a parent or a responsible person. They can not fight fires but at the scene they can help with clean up, like loading hose on the truck, picking up tools,etc. Then they are ask to attend the fire trainings that we have at the station. Which we realize that they can not participate in all of this training but they can help pull equipment off the trucks and put it back on. They are also ask to help with any fund raisers that we have during the year. Hope this helped.
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