Ever wonder what its like to be one of those Firefighters you see in parades and/or answering calls in your neighborhood? Ever wonder what it would be like to be part of your local Fire Company? Or are you just curious about your local Fire Company? But then you find out that you have to be 18 or older to join.
Well we have the answer, for all you students out there that are 14, 15, 16 and/or 17 years old. Within the last several years North End Fire Company has joined the ranks of many other Emergency Departments and started a Junior Firefighters Program. Below we have listed most of the general guidelines for you and your parents to see. Hopefully this will answer most of your questions, and then if you want to join or just have more questions then please come down and see us on Saturday morning or call us at (570) 345-0733. We'd be more then happy to sit down with you and your parent(s) and answer whatever questions or concerns you or your parents might have and explain how the program works.
General Guidelines
I. Junior Firefighters (ages 16 and 17)
Junior Firefighters are 16 and 17 year old minors, may participate in firefighting activities if they are under the direct supervision of the fire chief or a current experienced line officer.
16 and 17 year old junior firefighters are still prohibited, by law, from any of the following activities:
- Operating an aerial ladder, platform, or hydraulic jack.
- Using rubber electrical gloves, insulated wire gloves, insulated wire cutters, lifenets, or acetylene cutting torches.
- Operating the pumps of any fire vehicles at the scene of a fire.
- Driving a fire truck, ambulance, or any other official fire vehicle.
- Entering a burning structure.
Junior firefighters are normally prohibited from serving as firefighters between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 AM. This is extended to 1 AM and 6 AM on Friday and Saturday nights and during school term vacations, but no night restrictions is in effect during summer vacation. Junior Firefighters who answer a fire call before the 12 AM or 1 AM deadline may continue to respond to that call past the deadline. Such volunteers may not answer any new calls after 12 AM or 1 AM.
II. Employment Certificates
All junior fighters must obtain an employment certificate in order to participate as members of a volunteer fire company. Such certificates may be obtained through the junior firefighters' local school district.
III. High School Graduates
Individuals 17 or over who have graduated from high school are no longer considered minors under the Child Labor Law. Therefore, 17 year old junior fire fighters who are high school graduates are not subject to any of the above restrictions. This exemption also applies to those 17 year olds who have been declared by the chief school administrator to have achieved their academic potential.
IV. Workers' Compensation
Minor volunteer fire fighters are eligible for Workers' Compensation if injured while engaged as firefighters or while going to or returning from a fire. However, in the case of fund-raising events, junior firefighters are only eligible for workers' compensation if the local municipality specifically authorized them, through an ordinance, to engage in fund raising activities.
V. Approval
Junior firefighters must have the approval of their parent to join the fire company. The parent must accompany the prospective applicant to an interview with the fire chief, prior to the acceptance of an application for membership.
VI. Time Restrictions
In addition to the State Laws restricting hours of operation, junior firefighters may not attend company activities within one-half hour of the State night time limit. (ie: 11:30 PM or 12:30 AM)