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By Gary Giacomo
Junior firefighter programs are an important recruitment and retention tool for the fire service. Also known as “explorers” or “cadets,” junior firefighters generally range from 14-17 years of age and are part of volunteer, career, and combination (career/volunteer) fire departments. These programs expose young people to real-world dangers, and in some cases have resulted in line of duty deaths. Investigations and after-incident study of incidents have resulted in lessons learned resources.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a Science Blog this week that discusses how fire departments can ensure the safety, health, and positive childhood experiences for junior firefighters.
The blog, Keeping Junior Firefighters Safe and Healthy: The Fire Department’s Role in Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences, summarizes lessons learned from eight NIOSH investigations conducted since 2000 involving junior firefighters aged 14- to 17-years old. These investigations were conducted as part of NIOSH’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP).
Five incidents involved line-of-duty deaths of junior firefighters, while the remaining three focused on the death of an adult firefighter that also involved the injury of a junior firefighter.
These eight investigations highlighted several important lessons learned that fire departments can implement to ensure junior firefighter programs minimize risk while supporting adolescent engagement.
Six investigations addressed the permitted and prohibited activities of junior firefighters under federal and state child labor laws. It is important for fire departments have standard operating procedures that detail these activities for junior firefighters.
Another six investigations revealed the importance of providing and ensuring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for junior firefighters. PPE requirements will vary depending on what activities junior firefighters are permitted to perform.
Despite the potential risks of participating in a junior firefighter program, there are substantial benefits. The blog makes several suggestions that fire departments can consider for promoting positive childhood experiences in the fire service.
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- NIOSH invites fire departments and individual firefighters to engage in this important discussion with several questions:
- How does your fire department promote positive childhood experiences and educational opportunities for junior firefighters?
- What is your fire department’s main source of information regarding activities junior firefighters are permitted to engage in?
- Does your fire department have SOPs that address junior firefighters?
Read NIOSH’s April 17 blog for all of NIOSH’s recommendations to ensure junior firefighter health, safety, and positive childhood experiences in the fire service. Consider discussing and implementing these recommendations within your own fire department. Please consider sharing your input with NIOSH and the larger fire service community by posting comments using the form at the end of the blog.