A: Yes, when you are accepted as a Probationary Junior Firefighter, you will be scheduled for an Orientation session at which time you will be issued the following: Bunker pants, coat, boots, helmet, hood, gloves and duffel bag, along with a copy of the IFSTA Fire Essentials text. These items remain property of SFTFR and must be returned if you leave the Program for any reason. Your gear will be kept at Headquarters Station and must be picked up and brought to all training events and responses.
A: No Junior under the age of sixteen (16) shall ride in any department apparatus when the apparatus is responding emergency traffic. Juniors may ride on apparatus under non-emergency conditions, if there is room.
A: Juniors may not perform fire suppression involving structures or vehicles.
A: Upon completion of the “Ready to Respond” requirements of the Volunteer Member Handbook, a Junior 16 or 17 years of age may respond to emergency calls under certain conditions.
A: Juniors may:
- Attend and take part in supervised training;
- Participate in department functions within the rehabilitation area of an emergency scene;
- Support functions on an emergency scene, so long as the support function does not expose the Junior to hazardous environments;
- Pick up hose, tools and other materials from an emergency scene once it has been declared safe by the Incident Commander;
- Perform land-based search and rescue activities in areas not considered dangerous or identified as IDLH;
- Operate a fire pump or equipment located outside the danger zone of an emergency scene at the direction of the Incident Commander;
- Use pressurized hose lines, if properly trained, under the direction of the Incident Commander and outside of the danger zone.
A: Yes, under specific conditions. No Junior is to be at the station alone without a Volunteer or Employee present, unless it’s the brief period while waiting for a Volunteer or Employee to respond and pick up the apparatus.
A: Upon reaching the age of 16, you will be enrolled in the Catawba Valley Community College system and you will receive certification credit for any classes taken at SFTFR through the college program.
A: You will be suspended from SFTFR activities until you furnish proof that your grades are raised to C or better. You are responsible for providing copies of your quarterly or semester grade reports to the Fire Chief.
A: You are eligible to become a full Volunteer Firefighter member of SFTFR upon your 18th birthday and having completed the appropriate training prerequisites.
