Jr Firefighter SOP's

Bear River Fire Department

Junior Firefighter Program

Eligibility Requirements

1. Any resident who resides within the Bear River Fire Department Jurisdiction and is between the ages of 15-18 may apply for membership in the Bear River Fire Department Junior Firefighter Program. 
2. Applicants must be in good academic standing at his/her school at the time of application and during the period of membership as a Junior Firefighter. Minimum grades of 50% must be maintained. Under certain circumstances special considerations may be made.
3. Interested parties must complete an application. Included with the application is a parental consent form which must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
4. The application must be approved by the Bear River Fire Department.

Bear River Fire Department

Junior Firefighter Program

Policies

• Smoking, Drugs & Alcohol - The Bear River Fire Department (BRFD) maintains a "zero tolerance" policy with respect to drugs and alcohol. Any possession, and/or use of alcohol or illegal drugs, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on BRFD premises, apparatus, emergency scenes, training, official functions, or while in BRFD uniform will result in immediate and permanent suspension from the BRFD Junior Firefighter Program. Junior Firefighters may not smoke on BRFD premises, apparatus, emergency scenes, training, official functions, or while in BRFD uniform.

• Identification - Junior Firefighters may not use or display emergency identification on their personal vehicle (e.g., red lights and fire department plates). Junior Firefighters may not wear clothing identifying them as a BRFD firefighter, except assigned protective gear, uniforms or logo shirts/hats worn for official purposes only. Junior Firefighters will not be issued identification cards.

• BRFD Fire Hall - Junior Firefighters may not enter the BRFD fire station unless a senior member of the department is present, and then only for official business (emergency response, training, department meeting or work detail). Junior Firefighters will not be given building keys. Junior Firefighters may not bring friends into the fire station or permit them to be aboard fire apparatus. Junior Firefighters must leave the station no more than 30 minutes following the completion of an emergency response, training session, department meeting or work detail.

• Overnight & Stand-By Calls - Junior Firefighters are not permitted to attend overnight stand-by details (they will be released from a stand-by not later than 10:00 PM). Junior Firefighters are not permitted to accompany BRFD firefighters covering the station of another fire department.

• BRFD Equipment - Junior Firefighters may not borrow BRFD equipment for personal use.

• BRFD Vehicles - Junior Firefighters may not operate BRFD vehicles.

• BRFD Power Tools - Power tools, hydraulic tools, pressurized air operated equipment, and cutting devices such as chain saws/roof saws, air bags and Hurst Extrication Tools are to be operated only under the direct supervision of a fire officer or his/her designee. A Junior Firefighter must be at least 15 years old to operate any of this equipment. Power tool use is for training purposes only. A Junior Firefighter may not operate any power tool, hydraulic tool, pressurized air operated equipment or cutting device at an emergency scene. Full protective gear, including gloves and eye protection, must be worn by the Junior Firefighter while operating any power tool, hydraulic tool, pressurized air operated equipment, or cutting device.

• Ladders - Junior Firefighters may climb BRFD ground ladders or aerial ladders for training purposes only. All ladder use must be under the direct supervision of a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee. Full protective gear must be worn at all times.

• Response Times - Junior Firefighters are not permitted to participate in any BRFD activity, including emergencies, during school hours. Junior Firefighters are not to leave school, or a school sponsored activity, for an emergency response. Junior Firefighters are not to respond to any alarm dispatched after 9:30 PM on a school night (Sunday-Thursday). Junior Firefighters will not be assigned pagers or radios. (Pagers and radios are only assigned to members who are active firefighters.)

• Attendance Requirements - Junior Firefighters must attend a minimum of 30% of training sessions and/or meetings conducted each year. Junior Firefighters are not required to respond to emergency calls.

• BRFD Gear - Junior Firefighters are responsible for the care of all BRFD gear issued to them, and are financially responsible for loss or damage from other than official use as a Junior Firefighter.

• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) - Junior Firefighters may not fill SCBA bottles, and are to remain clear of the filling area when bottles are being filled.

• BRFD Apparatus - No firefighter is to ride on a truck side step or bumper. All firefighters are to be seated in the truck cab when the apparatus is in motion. Seat belts must be worn.

• Personal Vehicles - Junior Firefighters are to report directly to the station at all times. Junior Firefighters are not to drive personal vehicles to any scene unless directed by a BRFD Officer or his/her designee.

• Injuries - Report all injuries to a BRFD fire officer, safety officer or his/her designee. All injuries must be reported prior to the Junior Firefighter leaving an emergency response, training session, department meeting or work detail.

• Payment - Firefighters may not accept monetary payment or gifts for services rendered as a firefighter. Any citizen offering payment of any kind should be advised that payment for firefighting services is not expected or accepted. Never accept contributions at an emergency scene. Those individuals seeking to make a contribution should be advised to consider a voluntary contribution to BRFD as part of the annual fund drive.

Bear River Fire Department

Junior Firefighter Program

Emergency Response Procedures for Junior Firefighters

• Junior Firefighters may respond to emergency alarms, except as outlined in the sections below.
• Junior Firefighters should respond to the fire hall or as directed by the BRFD Chief or Junior Firefighter Training Officer via a standing assignment order.
• Junior Firefighters may respond on BRFD apparatus if seats are available (Junior Firefighters will relinquish seats to senior firefighters as needed).
• Junior Firefighters are under the command of BRFD fire officers or the officers designate from the time of their arrival at the station and/or emergency scene until released from duty by a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee.
• If no officer is aboard the apparatus, the Junior Firefighter will be under the command of the driver until reassigned to a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee.
• Junior Firefighters are not to leave an emergency scene without the knowledge and consent of a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee (Firefighters are to speak with a fire officer directly, not via a third party).

Mass Casualties and Dangerous Goods Incidents

• Junior Firefighters may not respond to emergency alarm calls relating to a hazardous material incident, biological or nuclear hazard, medical, explosive device, terrorist incident, police jurisdiction/crime scene assistance or mass casualty.
• Mass casualty incidents are defined as “incidents likely to involve four or more seriously injured or deceased individuals”.

Mutual Aid Alarms

• Junior Firefighters are not to respond to a mutual aid alarm outside of Bear River Fire Department Jurisdiction unless directed by a BRFD Officer.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

• Prior to responding to alarms, Junior Firefighters must be trained, and demonstrate proficiency in the use of SCBA equipment.
• At an emergency scene Junior Firefighter use of SCBA equipment is reserved for defensive and/or escape purposes only.
• All Junior Firefighters are to remain well clear of areas of operation requiring use of supplemental breathing air.

Protective Safety Gear

• Junior Firefighters must wear issued protective gear at all times while riding on apparatus and at an emergency scene.

On Scene at an Incident or Emergency

• Unless instructed by the Fire Chief, another Fire Officer or his/her designee, Junior Firefighters are not to enter private dwellings or any other structure for investigation or emergency action of any type.
• Junior Firefighters are to remain with the apparatus or in close proximity to the incident commander, and await specific orders from a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee.
• Under no circumstances are Junior Firefighters to enter a burning structure, confined space, underground area, or areas subject to a collapse.
• Junior Firefighters may enter a fire building after the fire has been brought under control, and the building determined to be structurally sound and free of hazardous materials and toxic gas, and then only if accompanied at all times by a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee. (This must be with the consent of the Fire Chief.)
• Junior Firefighters may operate exterior hose lines under the direction of a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee.
• Junior Firefighters must remain well clear of motor vehicle fires or any other type fires presenting exposure to flammable liquids or hazardous materials.
• At an emergency scene, Junior Firefighters may not climb ladders or operate from roofs or other elevated positions, this includes climbing onto the back of apparatus.
• At an emergency scene, Junior Firefighters may not operate any power tools, hydraulic tools, pressurized air operated equipment, or cutting devices.

Mutual Aid Considerations

• If, while on emergency scene, a Junior Firefighter receives orders from an officer or a request from a firefighter of another fire department, it is incumbent upon the Junior Firefighter to advise that officer or firefighter of his/her status as a Junior Firefighter and the limitations placed upon him/her.
• Officers and firefighters of other departments must be treated with respect and professionalism at all times.

Power Line or Gas Leak Emergencies

• At emergency scenes involving downed power lines or gas leaks, Junior Firefighters must remain aboard the apparatus until the area of operation is determined to be safe for the Junior Firefighter by a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee.

Traffic Control / Crowd Control

• Junior Firefighters must wear reflective safety vests and reflective striped turnout gear if assisting with traffic control.
• Junior Firefighters are not to direct traffic on a divided highway or in rain, fog, snow, ice or any other conditions that may impair motor vehicle control.
• When assisting with traffic control or crowd control, the instructions of a police officer are to take precedence over all others.  
• In the evening hours flashlights must be used.
• Junior Firefighters must operate only in areas within sight of fire apparatus and/or a police vehicle displaying flashing warning lights.

Public and Media Relations

• Firefighters are not to make any public comments or statements to the media at the time of an emergency incident or following an incident concerning anything relating to the emergency scene.
• A response of “no comment” is acceptable.
• All media should be directed to the incident commander and/or the BRFD Chief.
• All public inquiries are to be referred to the BRFD Chief, a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee.
• Examples of comments to avoid: cause and origin of a fire or accident, condition of patients, condition of a home interior or firefighting technique.
• Junior Firefighters should understand that fire inspectors, arson investigators, insurance company representatives and other governmental officials are required to inspect certain types of damage - their presence in no way indicates suspicion of wrongdoing of any kind.
• In many cases accidents and fires can be life-changing events and as such firefighters must understand those individuals whose property has been damaged or destroyed and/or family members injured or lost are extremely sensitive to the statements and actions of emergency personnel.
• BRFD firefighters are expected to demonstrate respect, compassion and professionalism towards these individuals in both words and action.

Property and Valuables on an Emergency Scene

• Property which must be secured (documents, etc.) and any valuables found at an emergency scene are to be immediately turned over to a BRFD fire officer or his/her designee or a police officer if they are on scene.
• Theft by a Junior Firefighter will result in an immediate suspension from the Junior Firefighter Program and the RCMP will be notified.