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21 Not an easy task the junior member concept varies greatly across the country. Should there be a set standard for the industry? Who decides on the junior member (varies throughout the fire service)? What are the factors in deciding who a junior member really is? Who makes the rules and sets policy?

22 Firefighting is an inherently dangerous business (a key concept)! Always keep this in mind Maturity, understanding, and discipline are the key (Do you understand the dynamics of the junior)? Who or what defines junior members? What are key points to consider? Where does the responsibility for a junior member lie?

23 Instilling Leadership Traits Character Attitude Teachable Vision Perseverance Courage Service

24 Advisor s Role: Mentoring The relationship with a senior employee is built on trust, with the primary role of making the Junior Firefighter more confident in their abilities and talents. Basically taking the Junior Firefighter under your wing to show them how things work at the fire department. YOU are the role model, so ACT like one!!!

25 Advisor s Role: Coaching It is different from mentoring in a sense. In the coaching role, you are instructing, teaching, and training the Junior Firefighter. You have to be the motivator, set SMART goals, and evaluate progress. As a coach you have to set the Junior Firefighters straight when they mess up. Mentoring & Coaching is the advisor s most critical role!

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27 Why are Junior Members and the Fire Service so complicated? Age is number one you are running the gamut on age ranges. The question remains - who is considered a junior member in the Fire/EMS Service? The U.S. Department of Labor offers this definition: As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years of age as the minimum age for employment, and limits the number of hours worked by minors under the age of 16. The Fire Service is totally based on doing work (fire suppression, overhaul, salvage, medical care, etc )

28 What are the Issues? Age seems to be a reoccurring factor: Example: Junior members can be separated into two groups: (1) minors 16 and 17 years of age; and (2) minors 14 and 15 years of age. Fire Departments should make sure their By- Laws, Constitution, and Charter reflect the proper authority to have junior members (the AHJ rules in this case). What can or cannot a junior member do? What is the comfort level? Does it preclude safety and accountability? Does the fire service differ that much from other youth organizations? Identify and quantify the dangers and hazards involved. Oversight and accountability.

29 Issues Continued Does the junior member standard across the country address the role of junior members? Who is considered an authority (AHJ)? Is the impact of junior firefighter programs felt immediately? What dictates junior member performance?

30 Who Does it Impact? Junior members are important to the future of the volunteer fire service. The community - does your organization rely on junior members? Department insurance and liability - does your insurer cover all? Does everyone involved know the risk vs. the reward? The junior, the parent, the department, the Chief, the advisor, and the authority having jurisdiction Is there method to the madness? What is the overall goal of any junior program?

31 Key Points to Consider Junior Members should never be substituted for trained personnel (Do your SOG s spell it out?) Never utilized in an IDLH environment! Junior Members should be equipped with equipment to accomplish the assigned tasks. Junior Members who ride on apparatus or other department vehicles must obey department apparatus safety, always remain seated, and must wear a seat belt.

32 Key Points to Consider Junior Members are not permitted drive department vehicles (SOG s rule). During any event, the Junior members shall be clearly identified in order to easily recognize them from a distance. Examples are by different colored helmets or helmet striping, different colored coats, lettering on gear, or special vests.

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34 Training Departmental routine training Drill night Multiple company drill training Join with a neighboring junior program for training County/regional training center Community college training Special schools Junior firefighter specific training

35 FUN Activities

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