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Captain at 24 Years of Age
A volunteer with the Strathmerton CFA (http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/) has become a Captain at 24 years of age.
Full article at: http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/news/captain-at-24.html
I'm not sure how the rank structure compares to the US, but here, he is the Captain of the local volunteer brigade, and would be supported by a number of Lieutenants.
At 24 is it too young?
Does he have enough experiene in both life and the emergency services?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on
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I don't think it to young either. I was LT at 18 and Engine Capt at 20. the important thing especially with a volunteer company is if the senior officers will be there. sure a car or field fire might be cool to handle but that working house fire with no senior officers can quickly overwhelm a new officer.
Had a situation on one of my last runs assiting a nieghboring company. It was in investigation in an occupied shcool. could tell he was shaking with other FF's in his ear. Finally I asked a chief to talk to him and help him out. you could see the relief in his face. I know I needed up on my first big call. I think the past chief still had finger marks in his jacket from me holding on so tight.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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Under our system, he's on his own until a Regional/Operations Officer arrives on scene. It'd have to go through a few triggers to activate that person to respond though....
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Permalink Reply by Ringold15 on
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No sir I am not only a captain but a training officer as well and I'm only twenty one.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Oomkes on
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Look at Lt.'s and Capt.'s in the U.S. Military
Or any military, for that matter.
It might be, or it might not be, depends on the individual.
I've seen 55 YO with 35 years of experience that were chiefs that had no business being a chief, or much less an officer.
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Permalink Reply by Stormey Tucker on
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I became a Captain at 26. My Chief believed that I was qualified enough and mature enough to handle situations and handle a crew. I take every training and every fire scene seriously and with a profesional manner. So if someone has had the training and is qualified and mature enough to be a Captain I say why not.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Unless I've missed something along the way, to be an officer in the (U.S.) military you need to have a college degree AND OCS/ROTC (unless you went to a military academy).
So the age of a military officer is incidental to his or her education (4 year degree) and subsequent training (ROTC or 20 weeks OTS/OTC).
So a 24 year old Captain in the Military would have a 4 year degree, some variant of the above military training and 2-4 years experience after being commissioned as an officer (boot brown bar).
So a captain of a volunteer brigade (Aus) or in an american volunteer department, while "potentially" having acquired significant experience, still wouldn't come up to the training, experience and education of that same rank (captain or equiv) in the military.
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Could very well be.
I sit corrected.
Guess I was thinking along the lines of the old days, but things have more than likely changed.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Reading the article revealed that he had been involved with the fire service for the past six years. It also referenced that he was voted by his peers to the rank of Fire Captain, again at the young age of 24. If his mates have the confidence to vote them in as Fire Captain, then obviously, age plays no factor in this individuals success. Growing up as a dairy farmer instilled some pretty serious work ethics. Transferring these ethics, taught to him by his family produced a level headed lead, follow or get out of his way kind of guy. Nice to see quality and excellence rewarded. Exceptional photograph mate.
Aloha,
CBz
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With the limited amount of information in the article link, and not knowing what training is required to become a captain, I could neither condemn nor condone his being made captain. But as Mike pointed out, if his subordinates have confidence in his ability, have at it.
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Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on
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I'm inclined to agree, I think. But then again, look at Ringold15's response (not to mention Jeremy Streeter's, who counts being a Junior at age 14 as time on the job). Scary.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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He may be the best available candidate for the position.
That happens, especially in small and/or volly departments.
That doesn't mean the situation is ideal, though.
I'm with you - I don't have enough detailed knowledge of the situation to either condemn or condone it.
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Ben,
As to "best available", that's scary enough (but I get it). It's the one's who don't realize how thin their resumes are who really scare me.
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