I need ideas for a Junior Firefighter program?

Question

I am a volunteer firefighter and our company is starting a junior firefighter program. Can anyone give me any ideas as to activities that we can do with these kids?

Answer 1

I was a JR for 4 years up until this past February. I turned into a SR.
You need two people who are SR firefighters. Make sure these two are strong hearted, can take on solving problems, and are open to anything as well as being around the station alot. These two will be called JR Advisors. They look over the juniors, and tell them what and how to do something. If a jr has an issue with another jr or with a sr, the advisors will get together and solve the issue between the jr and whoever else involved.

Assign the jrs positions:
President:
Chief:
Treasurer
Secretary

The chief talks about what is going on in the future as well as previous meetings.
Meetings should occur with the 2 advisors and only the JRS.
The Chief, assists the president in making descisions and new ideas

The treasurer records all the money that is being collected and used. It is important juniors have a seperate account from the rest of the department or company. They are responsible for doing their own fundraising and being there to make the money. If they want to buy something as a group, the treasurer needs to make record of this. Then the advisors will decide if it is benefitting the juniors.

The secretary will record notes from all meetings and events. It is important to set a secretary up. At each meeting (JR Meeting) they will read about the previous meeting. THe meeting should be at the same time ex. 7pm on the second Wednesday of each month.

They need rules:
Tobacco usage: no using on firehall property
No jr is to ride in the jumpseats of an open cab apparatus
No jr will operate a hydraulic tool or apparatus
No jr will enter a burning building
no jr masks up for a call
no jr will leave the apparatus unless told to etc...

Grades:
any jr with grades with "F" will be suspended until the next report card
If a junior gets two "D" in a row in the same class, they will be suspended.

JR training:
Jr training is important. Training should be every week. One week may be to clean while another may be throw ladders, operate hose line while supervised as well as how to work a hydrant. Often is a good refresher is where are the tools on an apparatus.

There should be a written or physical test on where things are on an apparatus. If they do not pass, they dont ride the apparatus.

Try making a hose maze in the dark with their hoods on backwards so it seems like its real using talkaround channels and have one of them hide and you be the dispatcher/ OIC.

Basics are everything but depends how your department runs and what laws are already set for them but just add on but dont get carried away with it just enough so they learn and be safe.

Encourage them all to take classes and be sure they all have ESsentials class that is certified,.

Answer 2

Firefighter Training Ideas

Answer 3

I was once a junior FF many years ago and now I am a senior member with 13 years experience. Here's what you need to do:

Check the states child labor laws, so you know what they can and cannot do. In my department in PA, I could do anything but pack up and go into a burning building. Now that I live in VA, the laws are more rigid. Juniors cannot fight any building fires, any interstate MVA's, and must have a certain number of hours of training.

Start with the basics: hose rolling and carries. Equipment and usage. Then you can go onto brush fires and exterior attack. The juniors can even go through a maze packed up to simulate search and rescue.

The experience I had as a junior FF propelled me to continue volunteering at the local fire station. The Juniors will be the Senior Members of tomorrow. Keep them interested and involved.

Answer 4

cpr training
field trips
carnival
bingo
camping trips

Answer 5

Your question is biased toward "go for it."