How to Start a Program

 

Starting a youth program may seem like a daunting task, requiring a large amount of time and dedication by a core group of your department/organization�s leadership and members who are interested. However, starting a program does not need to be a burden. In fact, the program can be a benefit to help you find a new stream of volunteers that will be the backbone of your department for years to come.

The National Junior Firefighter Program�s aim is to provide you with a solid program outline and the tools and resources needed to jumpstart the involvement of youth in your organization.

Jump to Step: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven 

The age ranges recommended by the National Junior Firefighter Program are at least 8th grade or 14-years-old, going up to age 21 or whatever the appropriate age within your organization/department that permits full operational membership. In most cases, this is either 18 or 21 depending on your location.

You should work with your organization/department leadership to determine the appropriate age range. This range should be based on the makeup of your community, as well as any state or local age requirements, such as child labor laws, that may impact the ages of participants in your program. If you go below age 14, you should consider ensuring that the number of youth is limited by the number of adult coordinators/managers of the program you have within your department to ensure adequate oversight.

Step Two: What Youth Should and Should Not Do

• While departments with existing programs may have individual requirements and special programs, depending on age and experience, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) recommends only non-operational participation by youth members.
• The final decision lies with your own department/organization�s requirements, local and state child labor laws, and other factors. Before finalizing your organization�s program, you should review what your participants will and won�t be doing with your leadership, insurance carrier, and legal representatives.
• The NVFC does not advocate youth engaging in fireground/scene operations, except as support/auxiliary work such as providing refreshments well outside of the �hotzone� or operational area.
• Training for youth in the core areas of interest (fire, rescue, or EMS) is encouraged, but the NVFC does not encourage hands-on operational tasks (i.e. raising ladders, advancing hoselines, etc) and would be best if limited to classroom only type activities.
• For example, classes on CPR, communications, general fire, rescue and EMS education, fire safety and prevention, etc. are all reasonable coursework that can be taught to youth without putting them in any situations where they may be injured.
• At no time should youth participants act in an unsupervised manner. An adult advisor of your organization�s program should always be providing direction to youth participants.
• An example list of things youth should participate in includes, but is not limited to:
  • Parade or Special Event Participation
  • Fund Raising Event Participation
  • Training
  • General Stand-Bye
  • Fire Safety / Prevention
  • Meeting Participation
  • Assist on Incident in Non-Operational Capacity (ex: Assist auxiliary with refreshments)

 

Step Three: Meetings and Introductory Program Events

 

For marketing purposes to your community, conducting monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly introduction events on a scheduled night or weekend where interested youth and their parents/guardian can come to your facility, learn about the program, and complete all related paperwork is also a good idea.

 

Step Four: Insurance and Liability Questions, Waivers

Typically, a waiver that includes full disclosure of risks and releases you from liability should someone be injured should be signed by the parent or legal guardian of the youth participant. An example waiver is available on the Resources for Departments page under the sample applications.

It is always in your best interest to check with your insurance provider directly when you start the program, as well as with the appropriate legal counsel.

Step Five: Getting Your Members Involved

If you are reading this, you are likely already interested in starting a youth program for your organization. Whether you are a Chief Officer looking to find out what you�ll need (and who you�ll need within your organization) or a member of a department who wants to know how to best approach your leadership, one thing is certain: You will need to get busy-involvement of the leadership and membership of your organization is crucial. Some may worry about youth being at your facility and events. A successful program will have solid leadership that promotes safety first and ensures there is no negative impact on the overall operation of your organization or department in its primary mission to protect and serve the community.

The program should be a tool to recruit the potential future members and leaders of your organization, by providing them invaluable experience and education with your organization. For span of control purposes, successful programs should have at least one adult advisor for every 6-7 youth participants, as well as several additional members who are interested in participating in your program as mentors, educators and support.

If your organization has Fire and EMS arms, you should also consider ensuring that there are interested members with both services interested in assisting with the program. Without solid adult leadership and interest by your members, a program cannot be successful. Your existing membership base is likely your first source of solid recruiting. They have the connections in your community, as well as their own children (and their friends) who may be interested in helping you kick start your program.

Educate your leadership and membership on how the program will impact your department in a positive manner and ensure you have full buy-in from your Chief, administrative leadership and membership before formally launching your program.

Step Six: Suggested Minimum Requirements for Youth Participants

Step Seven: Incentives and Rewards for Participants

Encourage your Junior Firefighters to register with and log on to our system to track their hours. Whenever they reach designated benchmarks, the National Junior Firefighter Program will provide various rewards that are obtainable only by tracking hours through our system. Departments should consider their own internal incentive and awards programs for the youth participants as well. Below is a list of example incentives that your department/organization could provide:

• Provide youth members with a basic uniform, such as a unique t-shirt or ID nametag.
• Create a points system based on hours or projects participated in, with special rewards for achieving certain marks. These rewards could include donated gift certificates to a local restaurant, or simply recognition at the organization�s monthly meeting with a certificate or other recognition.
• Create special awards such as �Junior Firefighter of the Year� or similar awards for more formal recognition at your organization�s annual awards banquet, meeting or other special event.
• For recruiting purposes, consider other special recognition for participants who bring in the most new members or interested parties.
• Recognize success outside the fire department. If a member of your program has excelled in his grades, or in efforts outside the fire, rescue and EMS service such as athletics, be sure to recognize it formally.
• Treat the members of your youth program just as you would your full member. Make them feel a part of your family, and hopefully they will remain so for a long time to come.
• Add special incentives for parents to be involved in fund raising, recruiting, or other special events. The parents may not want to be formal members of your organization, but just as they support their children�s sports, school and other extracurricular activities, you may find they are an invaluable asset in supporting your youth program.