A Publication of the National Volunteer Fire Council

Core Competencies
for the Junior Fire Service

Supporting Those Who Serve [Link]/juniors

table of contents 1 Introduction 9 Section III:
Training
Acknowledgements - Donning PPE
- Equipment Tarp Setup
Advisory - Thermal Imaging Camera
- Forcible Entry
2 NVFC B.E.S.T. Practices
- Upstairs/Downstairs Search
- Attic Rescue
3 Section I:
- Cone Test
Youth Personal Development and Behavior
- Leadership - Tire Test
- Teamwork - Fire Extinguishers
- Responsibility - Hose Pull
- Community Service - Foam Training
- Work Ethic and Department Values - Ventilation
- Department Organization and Duties - EMS and First Aid
- Fire Prevention and Safety Outreach - Multi-story Fire Simulation
- Leading a Healthy and Safe Lifestyle - Bailout System

7 Section II: 20 Section IV:

Technical Skills Overview Case Studies
- Fire Behavior - East Norwich Volunteer Fire Company No. 1
- First Aid - Westhampton Beach Fire Department
- Portable Extinguishers - Cherryville Fire Department
- Rehabilitation - Soldier Township Fire Department
- Fire Department Communications - Los Angeles County Fire Department Stations 3
- Donning Personal Protective Equipment and 54
- Donning SCBA and Proper Usage
- Apparatus 24 Appendix:
Additional Resources
- Equipment
- Federal
- Hoses and Nozzles
- Training Drills
- Water Supply Operations
- National and International
- Ropes and Knots
- Ladders
- Search and Rescue
- Forcible Entry
- Ventilation Dedicated in memory of Jason and Emma Pisocki
- Accountability and Emergency Evacuation of the Solider Township (KS) Fire Department,
- Automobile Extrication for their dedication to the fire service
and contributions to the development of this guide.
- Traffic Control
April 2014

Front cover photos feature junior firefighters from (clockwise from upper left): Soldier Township Fire Department, NVFC National Junior
Firefighter Academy at Scott Safety (photo courtesy of Ilya Margolis), Soldier Township Fire Department, Westhampton Beach Fire
Department, NVFC National Junior Firefighter Academy at Scott Safety (photo courtesy of Ilya Margolis)

Back cover photos feature junior firefighters from (clockwise from upper left): East Norwich Fire Company, Soldier Township Fire
Supporting Those Who Serve Department, Westhampton Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Soldier Township Fire Department
Introduction Acknowledgements
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), a nonprofit This project was made possible through a grant from the
association representing volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of their
personnel at the national level, created the National Ju- ongoing support of first responder health and safety
nior Firefighter Program in 2007 so that departments and initiatives, including training.
youth alike can find the resources, tools, and information
they need to help develop, grow, enhance, promote, and The junior firefighter programs from the Cherryville (NC)
participate in local junior firefighter programs. Fire Department, East Norwich (NY) Volunteer Fire Com-
pany No. 1, Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department
The Program supports fire departments by fostering Stations 3 and 54, Soldier Township (KS) Fire Depart-
relationships and engaging youth in learning about, ment, and Westhampton Beach (NY) Fire Department
and ultimately becoming, members of the emergency were very helpful in creating this handbook, providing
services. Junior firefighter programs introduce young a majority of the sample drills and participating in case
people to their local fire, rescue, and emergency medi- studies. The NVFC extends special appreciation to the
cal services response organizations in a safe, controlled, junior firefighters, program advisors, and other members
educational, and fun way while providing departments of these departments for their contributions to the future
with an excellent recruitment mechanism. of the fire service.

Core Competencies for the Junior Fire Service was Several members of the NVFC Health and Safety Com-
developed by the NVFC to address the need for safe, mittee and the National Junior Firefighter Program Advi-
functional, and effective training exercises for junior fire- sory Group lent their expertise to this guide. The NVFC
fighters. The NVFC does not advocate junior firefighters thanks these individuals for their time and involvement:
participating in operational activities, but developing safe Nick Bailey, FDLiveIn, LLC; Mike Barnett, Elkridge (MD)
training behavior and attitudes today lays the foundation Volunteer Fire Department Junior Firefighter Program
for a healthier, safer fire service tomorrow. These train- Advisor; Chief Jeff Cash, NVFC First Vice Chair; Allen
ing examples address both the hands-on and intangible Metheny, NVFC Secretary/Treasurer – Delaware;
skills (such as leadership and teamwork) that are vital to Bryant Stiles, NVFC Alternate Director – Kentucky; and
the future of the fire service. Bob Timko, NVFC Alternate Director – Pennsylvania.

For more training ideas, information, and resources, visit Photos (l-r): East Norwich Fire Company, Soldier Township Fire
Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, NVFC National
the National Junior Firefighter Program web site at
Junior Firefighter Academy at Scott Safety (photo courtesy of Ilya
[Link]/juniors. Learn more about the NVFC’s Margolis)
health and safety initiatives at [Link].

Advisory
The content of this handbook is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for any local laws or regulations, nor is it a certifica-
tion program. Department leadership and/or junior firefighter program advisors are responsible for ensuring that all training is compliant
with local, state, and federal regulations. The safety and well-being of junior firefighters and other department members should always be
first priority. This handbook should be used at the department’s discretion. The NVFC does not advocate operational response or any activ-
ity that puts the health and safety of junior firefighters at risk.

Each state has different regulations and laws concerning the activities in which youth fire service volunteers are allowed to participate.
Information can generally be found by visiting your state’s Department of Labor and investigating child labor laws. Your state firefighters’
association or State Fire Marshal’s office is also a good source for information. Check with your department’s insurance provider regarding
coverage for youth program activities.

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the National Volunteer Fire Council at 1-888-ASK-NVFC (275-6832) or
juniors@[Link].
1
[Link] NVFC B.E.S.T. Practices
The NVFC has always been dedicated to keeping first
Is Your Department
responders healthy and safe. The Volunteer Firefighter at its B.E.S.T.?
Health and Safety Priorities were developed by the Keep your department ready to take the next call with the
National Volunteer Fire Council’s Volunteer Firefighter Health and Safety Priorities
NVFC’s Health and Safety Committee in 2008 to
further the NVFC’s focus on protecting first responders. B EHAVIOR
• Support the physical, emotional, and mental
These priorities are set forth in the following B.E.S.T. well-being of all personnel.
• Operate all emergency apparatus and privately
Practices: owned vehicles (POV’s) to conform to the
highest road safety standards and enforce
the use of seatbelts.
• Develop, practice, and enforce recommended
health and safety standards for all personnel.

Behavior • Monitor and ensure that all active emergency

scenes maintain the utmost level of safety
and fireground accountability.

> Support the physical, emotional, and mental well-

E QUIPMENT
being of all personnel. • Provide and require the proper use of full
personal protective equipment (PPE).

> Operate all emergency apparatus and privately

• Maintain all equipment based on established
safety recommendations.

owned vehicles to conform to the highest road S TANDARDS & CODES

safety standards and enforce the use of seatbelts. • Encourage the use of all smoke, fire detection,
and fire suppression devices, including fire
sprinkler systems, in all structures.

> Develop, practice, and enforce recommended health

• Vigorously enforce all fire safety codes and
ordinances.
• Obtain apparatus and equipment that meet
and safety standards for all personnel. national safety standards.

> Monitor and ensure that all active emergency T RAINING

• Utilize fire training programs that conform to

scenes maintain the utmost level of safety and the highest professional standards.
• Operate a safe fire training ground at all

fireground accountability.
times.
• Establish, maintain, and deliver fire safety
programs for all age groups.

Equipment
> Provide and require the proper use of full personal
Supporting Those Who Serve

[Link]
protective equipment.
> Maintain all equipment based on established safety
recommendations.

Standards and Codes

> Encourage the use of all smoke, fire detection,
and fire suppression devices, including fire sprinkler
systems, in all structures.
> Vigorously enforce all fire safety codes and
ordinances.
> Obtain apparatus and equipment that meet national
safety standards.

Training
> Utilize fire training programs that conform to the
highest professional standards.
> Operate a safe fire training ground at all times.
> Establish, maintain, and deliver fire safety programs
for all age groups.

2 [Link]/juniors
Section I Youth Personal Community Service
Allow juniors to pursue community service projects not
Development and Behavior directly related to the fire department. For example,
they could organize a holiday food or coat drive, visit
Junior firefighter programs allow youth the opportunity people in nursing homes, or participate in a charity
to gain technical skills that they can apply toward a fundraiser.
future career or as a volunteer in the fire and emergency
services. An equal – if not greater – benefit to youth
is the opportunity to develop and build teamwork In Practice:
and leadership skills, confidence, responsibility, and
Organize a Food Delivery to Those in
the ability to stay calm in an emergency situation.
Need
These and other valuable life skills benefit youth as
they navigate their teenage years, and will continue Pleasant View (TN) Volunteer Fire Department’s
to help them through whichever college/career path (PVVFD) Explorer Program gives back to their
they choose and into adulthood. These skills are also community all year through their support of the
important attributes in career or volunteer firefighters, fire department, but each holiday season they go
which many junior firefighters will one day become. even further by helping take care of the town’s
elderly and disadvantaged. For several years,
Junior firefighter program advisors serve as both a
Explorers have worked with the department to
mentor and a coach. In the coaching role, you will
send fruit baskets and food boxes to those in need
instruct, teach, and train junior firefighters. You have
on Christmas Eve.
to be a motivator, set goals, and evaluate progress. As
a coach, you will have to discipline junior firefighters
and educate them on their mistakes. You are preparing Before the event, the group compiles a list of
the future of the fire service – and through appropriate Pleasant View’s elderly, families that are struggling
coaching and mentorship, they will respond to their first to make ends meet, and other citizens in need.
call as confident, ethically-minded, well-trained adults. Explorers, department leaders, and volunteers
from local churches gather on December 23 to
Many of these skills are inherent to training drills and sort the items that the department has purchased
other department and program activities. For example: and then prepare the fruit baskets and food boxes.
On Christmas Eve, they deliver a basket and a box
Leadership to each home on the list. They provide almost
Institute a junior firefighter officer system. Have 50 homes with baskets and food boxes annually.
students elect a Junior Captain, and with guidance, Partnering with the church volunteers allows the
let juniors lead their own meetings, set their own
department to educate church members about the
priorities, and develop fundraisers or volunteer events.
work they are doing in the community and inform
them about the Explorer program.
Teamwork
With guidance, allow seasoned junior firefighters to
train new recruits. Focus on inclusion in all drills and PVVFD serves a population of 19,000 covering 200
activities. For instance, when donning gear, juniors square miles. Their Explorer Program focuses on
who have already put on all of their gear should teamwork, future fire service involvement, Explorer
immediately assist those who need help getting ready. education, and creating community leaders.

Responsibility
Allow juniors to take responsibility for their program.
Help them set and meet goals in fundraising. Teach
them the appropriate methods for caring for and
maintaining all gear, apparatus, and equipment.
Require notes for absences to instill the importance of
honoring commitments.

[Link]/juniors 3
 In Practice:
Start an Anti-Bullying Campaign
(Read more about the Westhampton Beach Fire Dept. Work Ethic and Department Values
on page 23) Train juniors in your department’s mission statement
and value system. Emphasize the importance of being
a good representative of the program at school, home,
People feel safer knowing that the fire department
and in public. Discuss the responsibility that comes
in their community is looking out for them.
with being a first responder. Encourage juniors to
The Westhampton Beach (NY) Fire Department be leaders in all aspects of their lives, not just at the
junior firefighters wanted their fellow high school station.
students to know that they are there for them as
well. Department Organization and Duties
Teach juniors about the organizational system of your
Building on the national anti-bullying movement fire department. Invite department leadership to speak
and in response to witnessing bullying in their about their path to their current position. Emphasize
own school, the juniors launched an educational respect for leadership, working with the team, and
campaign called JAB (Juniors Against Bullying). acting in the best interests of the department and for
They have spoken about the program and bullying the job at hand. Teach juniors about duties firefighters/
at county-wide conferences on Long Island, EMTs perform when not on call, and have them
even teaming with a special agent from the FBI contribute to cleaning, cooking, and other chores
when presenting at a conference in their home around the station.
county. They created a Facebook page (keywords:
Westhampton Beach Junior Fireman Bullying) for
youth to share their stories, identified themselves
as allies so that bullied students know they can talk
to them anytime, and scheduled open houses at
the fire department to serve as a “safe zone.”

Their campaign has gotten national and

international attention, with dozens of departments
nationwide reaching out to Westhampton Beach
to learn more about starting an anti-bullying
campaign.

Department Organization and

Westhampton Beach junior firefighters provide a safe haven for bullied teens (photo courtesy of Westhampton Beach Fire
4 Department).
In Practice:
Promote Fire Safety at a Community Fair
Each spring, the Great Neck (NY) Alert Fire
Company junior firefighter program hosts a booth
and fire safety demonstration at the Village of Great
Neck Street Fair to educate youth and adults about
how to safely escape a house fire.

The Street Fair is one of Long Island’s largest arts

and crafts events of the year, stretching over a
half-mile and featuring more than 200 vendors. The
Great Neck juniors take advantage of this popular
event to educate kids and their parents about how
to stay calm and escape a fire. They do this through
a “smoke trailer,” a mock house that is partially
filled with light smoke. Junior firefighters give
participants an overview of escaping a house fire
and then let them into the smoke house to practice
Junior firefighters can educate the community about fire
what they learned. safety and prevention (photo courtesy of the East Norwich Fire
Company).
Inside the house, participants are told to call a fake
emergency number with the provided telephone. Fire Prevention and Safety Outreach
A junior firefighter answers the call as if it was an An important part of reducing the loss of property,
actual emergency call and helps the participant environment, and lives (both civilian and first
make their way to the window while staying low responder) due to fire is educating the public in fire
to avoid the smoke. Other juniors wait outside the prevention and what to do in case of emergency.
window with a 3-step ladder, and participants then Junior firefighters can coordinate and staff community
lower themselves out the window and down the outreach events to teach fire safety and prevention.
steps to the waiting firefighters. Over 500 people They can volunteer at local schools, visit nursing
go through the smoke trailer each year, and many homes and hospitals, and attend fairs and other events
come back a second time. to spread this information.

Examples of activities include helping citizens create

In addition to the smoke house, the Great Neck
a fire escape plan in their homes, offices, and schools;
juniors staff a booth and hand out fire prevention
distributing and inspecting smoke alarms; and teaching
and safety information during the Street Fair. They children what to do in case of a fire in their home.
demonstrate different firefighting and rescue tools Find more activity ideas and resources from the United
to show how first responders do their jobs. Visitors States Fire Administration ([Link]/
can also take a tour of one of Great Neck’s fire fireservice/subjects/fireprev/[Link]), the National
trucks. Fire Protection Association ([Link]), and
Fire Corps ([Link]/departments/grow-a-
program).

[Link]/juniors 5
 In Practice:
Start Meetings with Physical Training
(Read more about the L.A. County Fire Dept. Leading a Healthy and Safe Lifestyle
Explorers on page 25) Youth are impressionable. The ideas, behaviors, and
skills they learn now will stay with them through
life. With heart attack the leading cause of on-duty
The Los Angeles County Fire Department Stations
firefighter fatalities, it is critical to emphasize physical
3 and 54 make fitness a big part of their Explorer
fitness as part of a firefighter’s duty. The body is the
Post meetings. Every Sunday, they start their
most important tool a firefighter has at his or her
training before 8am with juniors lining up and disposal, and without proper training, they will not
standing at attention. After a thorough inspection be ready for the next call. In addition, proper training
of uniforms and stance, they run to their turnout will help reduce the number of firefighter injuries. The
gear. Students who don their gear the quickest are NVFC’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program (www.
responsible for helping others put theirs on, so that [Link]) and other health and safety
everyone is in full gear when the timer runs out. initiatives ([Link]) provide tools, resources, and
They then do push-ups in full gear. Next, they doff training on nutrition, fitness, and vehicle safety, among
the turnout gear and change into athletic clothes to other health and safety topics. Consider implementing
run two miles. After a break, they start a series of a workout component in your regular trainings and
fitness challenges that simulate skills needed for take time to emphasize the importance of a healthy and
safe lifestyle.
firefighting, such as a hose pull, hitting tires with
sledgehammers, and pulling a dummy bag.

Once these drills are completed, they change back

into uniform and go through revolutions on ropes,
EMS, ladders, and other first response activities.
Their junior firefighter program advisor ends the
meeting with a reminder to eat a nutritious lunch
to maintain the hard work that they’ve done that
morning and fuel their body and mind for the week
ahead.

Tie a pike pull to a weight, then simulate picking at a ceiling to

work on arm strength.

L.A. County Fire Department Explorers working out before training.

6 [Link]/juniors
Section II Technical Skills Overview Fire Department
Communications
Many junior firefighter programs’ primary goal is to Review procedures for reporting an emergency,
train juniors on of the technical skills necessary to your department’s dispatch system, and radio and
pass Firefighter I and Firefighter II. The following skill communications codes. Review how to use a radio and
areas correspond to leading standards requirements for any other department communication tools. Discuss
passing basic firefighting exams. Under each skill area, reporting and chain of command.
you will find the page number for applicable training Drills: page 13, 14, 17, 20
drills related to this skill set, as detailed in Section III
of this guide. Donning Personal Protective
Equipment
Fire Behavior NFPA standards require that firefighters be able to don
A key component of fighting fire is understanding how personal protective equipment (PPE) in under one
it behaves. Many juniors will not be able to approach minute. Junior firefighters should also be educated on
live fires (due to state and local laws), but classroom doffing gear, cleaning and maintaining all PPE, and
work can be done to explain the chemistry and physics current PPE-related standards and codes.
of fire, sources of heat, combustion, and more. Drills: page 11
Drills: page 16, 19
Donning SCBA and Proper
First Aid Usage
Train juniors on basic first aid, cardiopulmonary Demonstrate donning and activating self-contained
resuscitation (CPR), and Automatic External breathing apparatus (SCBA). NFPA standards require
Defibrillator (AED). EMTs in your department may that firefighters be able to don the SCBA in less than
be able to lead the training, or work with your local one minute. Juniors should understand breathing
hospital or American Red Cross to offer a certification techniques and the safety features of the devise. Proper
course. maintenance and refilling should also be demonstrated.
Drills: page 19 Drills: page 11

Portable Extinguishers Apparatus

Junior firefighters should be trained on the inspection, Show juniors how to mount and dismount apparatus,
operation, and application of various sizes and types emphasize the importance of seatbelt use on fire
of fire extinguishers. This training should include the department apparatus and in personal vehicles, and
types of fires on which extinguishers can be used, the demonstrate safety features on all apparatus. Discuss
types of extinguishers available, and safety points. proper usage of sirens, driving safety, adhering to
Drills: page 16 traffic laws, and department SOGs relating to safe
vehicle operations. Discuss the importance of proper
Rehabilitation maintenance of the apparatus.
Junior firefighters can greatly help on-duty firefighters Drills: page 17, 19
by performing on-scene canteen services and rehab.
Juniors can set up a station for water and food, chairs, Equipment
cooling items such as a canopy for shade or misting Demonstrate various firefighting tools (halligan bars,
fans, and medical monitoring. In addition, they can axes, crowbars, etc.) and their uses. Junior firefighters
lay out tools, refill air packs, and clean tools and packs should understand procedures for replacing and
after use. cleaning gear and equipment after use, maintaining
Drills: page 12 gear and apparatus, and timing for replacing
equipment. (Note: The NVFC offers a downloadable
equipment management template and equipment
management webinars at [Link].)
Drills: page 11, 12, 13, 16, 19

[Link]/juniors 7
 Hoses and Nozzles Ventilation
Junior firefighters should understand the components of Educate junior firefighters on vertical, horizontal,
a hose and nozzle, unrolling and advancing a hose line, hydraulic, and mechanical ventilation techniques and
opening and closing a line, and fire streams and water tools. Discuss the importance of ventilation for clearing
pressure. They should learn how to communicate with smoke from a structure. Emphasize safely removing
a team while advancing a line. glass and other obstructions.
Drills: page 13, 17, 18, 20 Drills: page 19

Water Supply Operations Accountability and Emergency

Demonstrate locating and utilizing fire hydrants, Evacuation
connecting the pumper to the hydrant, and identifying Emphasize the importance of the safety of the entire
alternate water sources. team. Review accountability systems, communications,
Drills: page 17, 18 and emergency evacuation methods. Utilize an
accountability system with your juniors while training
Ropes and Knots to reinforce the habit.
Talk to junior firefighters about the role of ropes and Drills: page 21
knots in the job of a firefighter, including rescue and
rappelling. Demonstrate the types of knots used in Automobile Extrication
various situations. Review the firefighter’s role in automobile accident
Drills: page 21 response. Discuss stabilizing the vehicle, removing
and treating the victim, and safety aspects of auto
Ladders extrication. Demonstrate using extrication tools
Junior firefighters should be able to use ground ladders (complying with safety standards and local, state, and
safely, including raising, extension, and determining national laws for junior firefighters). Review vehicle
stability. components and extrication methods.
Drills: page 13 Drills: page 19

Search and Rescue Traffic Control

Demonstrate proper communications, tools, and hose Review first responder duties for traffic control at an
and ladder usage for a search and rescue situation. automobile accident scene or other roadway situation,
Show junior firefighters how to use thermal imaging following all Department of Transportation guidelines.
cameras, halligan bars, and other tools. Emphasize first Discuss safety and proper vest usage. Demonstrate
responder safety when conducting a rescue. using flares and other tools. (Please note that junior
Drills: page 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21 firefighters should not participate in any active traffic control
situations.)
Forcible Entry
Teach junior firefighters the various tools available
for forcible entry, the types of situations calling for
forcible entry, and different methods for forcible entry
depending on the situation.
Drills: page 13

8 [Link]/juniors
Section III Training
The following drills and lesson plans will teach students
the skills outlined in Section II. A junior firefighter
program should be fun, but most importantly it should
be a safe, educational environment for youth. Drills
should focus on accurate response to ensure proper
training for the future. Explain to juniors why activities
should be done in a certain way to avoid injury or
fatality while training and in a real-life situation.
Unsafe actions should be stopped and disciplined
immediately, and used as an educational opportunity. Junior firefighters don gear at the NVFC National Junior
Firefighter Academy at Scott Safety (photo courtesy of Ilya
It is the responsibility of the junior firefighter program Margolis).
advisor and/or department leadership to follow all
applicable laws and regulations – as well as using good
judgment on the scene to prevent unsafe situations.
Advisors should train juniors to also be aware of safety
issues, encouraging them to correct unsafe actions of
their peers.

Teaching junior firefighters the correct, safe way to

complete tasks is of utmost importance. Most of these
youth will join their local department when they reach
the required age; the methods you teach them now will
be well ingrained. Take the time to correct mistakes
and make sure that all youth know how to safely and
accurately complete a drill.
Junior firefighters don gear in a drill at the East Norwich Fire
Remember to check with your local and state laws and Company.
regulations prior to carrying out any new drill.

Practice:
Donning PPE
Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department 1. Junior firefighters should stand beside their
turnout gear and air packs with their backs away
Skills: Donning PPE, Donning SCBA, Safety
from their gear.
Facility: Indoor or outdoor space
2. A whistle will start the scenario and the junior
Props: firefighters can begin donning their personal
- Turnout gear protective equipment.
- Face pieces (including hoods) 3. Once the junior firefighter has gotten all the
- Fire gloves equipment on and is breathing air from the SCBA,
they will raise their hands and the advisor/judge will
- Stopwatches
record their time.
- Air packs
4. The judge will inspect the equipment with all
- Wipes for cleaning masks violations adding 7 seconds to the overall time.
Lesson: Violations include helmet strap not being buckled,
Review the various pieces of personal protective neck strap on turnout gear not attached, air pack
equipment, proper donning, and how to use an SCBA. straps not tightened or unbuckled, hood not over
ears, air pack buckle not in the center of the
waist, coat not zipped, or suspenders not on. Ask
other juniors to help identify violations to reinforce
learning.

[Link]/juniors 9
 Equipment Tarp Setup
Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department
Skills: Equipment, Rehabilitation, Teamwork
Facility: Indoor or outdoor, near apparatus
Props: Junior firefighter uses thermal imaging camera to find a heat
- Tarp source at the NVFC National Junior Firefighter Academy at
Scott Safety (photo courtesy of Ilya Margolis).
- Apparatus with equipment loaded
Lesson: Thermal Imaging Camera
1. Tarp selection Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department
a. Inexpensive tarp Skills: Fire Behavior, Search and Rescue, Equipment
b. Highly visible tarp
Facility: Building with multiple dark rooms
c. Location of tarp on apparatus
Props:
2. Tarp placement
a. Proximity to apparatus - Thermal imaging cameras (one per group)
b. Brightest side upward - Helmets and sets of fire gloves (one per member of
group)
3. Apparatus familiarization/equipment to tarp
a. Needed equipment - Stopwatches
b. Locations of equipment on apparatus - 4 empty drink bottles (2 with hot water, 2 frozen)
c. Safely transporting equipment - 2 air packs (1 full, 1 empty)
d. Placing equipment on tarp
- 2 five-gallon buckets (one filled halfway with
4. Clean up ice water, one filled three quarters full with room-
a. Returning equipment to apparatus temperature water)
b. Folding and storing tarp
- 1 half-filled propone cylinder

Practice: - 1¾ hose line (charge flowing water)

Review steps 1-4 above, walking through how to - 1 extinguisher prop with full propane tank and
complete each task. Once juniors are familiar with lighting stick
the process, time groups of juniors on setting up a tarp, Lesson:
adding time for any forgotten equipment or incorrectly Program advisors should demonstrate how the cameras
placed items. show fire extinguishment, water stream success, and
what a RIT, RIC, or FAST team should look for to find
a downed firefighter.
Practice:
1. Advisors should create a blacked-out room(s) in the
fire department or other training building, taping up
the windows or using other methods to block all
light. Add obstacles by moving around furniture,
placing dummies, or building a maze. Place hot and
cold objects around the rooms.
2. Junior firefighters will be placed in small groups with
a check list of all the hot and cold items they are to
locate in the room or building. They should also
look at the buckets, propane tank, and hose lines
to show the fluid levels and whether the hose line is
flowing water or not.
Cherryville Fire Department junior firefighters set up equipment 3. Junior firefighters can compete to see who can find
on a tarp. the most items on the checklist in the shortest
amount of time.
10 [Link]/juniors
Forcible Entry - 1¾ hose
Courtesy of the Westhampton Beach Fire Department - Pike pole, halligan bar, hook, or other tool for
Skills: Forcible Entry, Teamwork, Equipment sweeping during search

Facility: Classroom - Apparatus

- Ladder
Props:
- Door Lesson:

- Tools for demonstration 1. Incident command

a. Scene safety
Lesson:
b. Size-up
1. Size-up the door c. Communication
a. Type of door – outward- or inward-swinging
2. Hydrant connection from engine
b. Is the door locked?
3. Forcible entry to basement
2. Forcible entry tools:
a. Flat head ax 4. Ladders
b. Halligan bar 5. Attack team to basement
3. Parts of the halligan bar: 6. Search demonstration
a. Handle
7. Rescue of victim demonstration
b. Fork end
c. Point Practice:
d. Adze end (blade) 1. Divide juniors into three groups. Each group should
4. Positions of firefighters: have an officer. Rotate groups through each stage of
a. Those using a halligan stand to the side of the the drill as time permits.
door, placing one end of the tool in the door jam. 2. Stage one – Demonstrate hose connection and
b. Those using the axe get down on one knee to hit stretch to basement.
the halligan bar. Kneeling down gives better control
3. Stage two – Demonstrate forcible entry and perform
of the swing and a better view of the tool.
search. Stabilize victim and remove from scene.
5. Control the door while forcing it.
4. Stage three – Demonstrate ladder raise to second
Practice: floor.
Review the lesson then utilize this information to
complete the Upstairs/Downstairs Search drill in this
guide.

Upstairs/Downstairs Search
Courtesy of the Westhampton Beach Fire Department
Skills: Forcible Entry, Search and Rescue, Hoses and
Nozzles, Ladders, Communications, Teamwork
Facility:
- Room in station to use for search
- Stairs (can lead to room other than the room where
the search is taking place – this is just for practice
descending/ascending stairs)
- Door for forcible entry
Props:
Westhampton Beach junior firefighters with their rescued
- Turnout gear, including air packs, hoods, and “victim.”
blacked-out face pieces

[Link]/juniors 11
 Attic Rescue Practice:
Courtesy of the Soldier Township Fire Department 1. Pass the charged hose line through the obstacle
Skills: Search and Rescue, Communications course in the path that you want the junior
firefighter to follow.
Facility: Indoor or outdoor space
2. Situate junior, with blacked-out face mask on, at
Props:
the entrance of the maze. They should follow the
- “Attic” constructed of scrap wood (see photos below) hose through the maze. Program advisors and/or
- Charged hose line other junior firefighters can help guide them
- Full gear through by explaining what steps to take next,
which direction to turn, etc.
- Face masks, blacked-out
- Air packs (if juniors choose to use them) 3. The goal is to reach the end of the obstacle course.
Once juniors are familiar with the course, you
Lesson: can ask them to go the opposite direction or carry a
Review the principles of search and rescue and discuss “victim” prop to further challenge them.
the specifics of attic rescue and maneuvering in small
spaces while in full gear.

The obstacle course has an angled platform, attic trusses, attic opening or crawl space opening, 16-inch centered studded wall,
20-inch low clearance opening, 24-inch round opening, and an 18-inch low clearance 4-foot crawl with entanglement. All or part of
these parts of the prop can be used. The total cost to build was less than $200.

12 [Link]/juniors
Cone Test
Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department
Skills: Search and Rescue
Facility: Outdoor or indoor space at least 50 feet long
Props:
- Turnout gear, blackened out face pieces (including
hoods), and fire gloves
- 3-5 traffic cones
- Stopwatches
- Tape measure
- Wipes for cleaning masks
Lesson:
Teach juniors about search patterns and working in Junior firefighters practice the tire drill at the NVFC National
low-light situations. Junior Firefighter Academy at Scott Safety (photo courtesy of
Ilya Margolis).
Practice:
1. Place a cone 50 feet directly in front of participants Tire Test
in full turnout gear with a blacked-out face piece Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department
on.
Skills: Communications, Search and Rescue,
2. The junior firefighter will start on their hands Teamwork, Safety
and knees and crawl for no more than one and a
half minutes to try and find the cone in front of Facility: Large indoor area or outside
them. When they hit the cone, their time is Props:
recorded. - 2-4 sets turnout gear and fire gloves (based on
3. If they do not reach the cone, the mask is taken number of participants)
off to show how far off center they crawled. The test - 1-4 blacked-out face pieces (including hoods)
shows that firefighters in a dark building cannot - 3-5 air packs
crawl in a straight line. This demonstrates the
- 9-18 tires
importance of using search patterns that orient
themselves and their teams to the wall or hose line. - Stopwatches
- Wipes for cleaning masks
Lesson:
Review search patterns, working in low-light situations,
and communicating with a team.
Practice:
1. Arrange the tires in a large pattern.
2. Place teams of two junior firefighters (with blacked-
out face pieces on) at a tire and ask them to crawl
through the pattern, touching each of the tires.
They should maintain contact with their partner at
all times.
3. Time each group.

Setting up the cones for the Cone Test (photo courtesy of Ilya
Margolis).
[Link]/juniors 13
 Fire Extinguishers 2. Markings
Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department a. Classification markings located on the front of
the shell
Skills: Fire Extinguishers, Fire Behavior, Equipment
b. Markings must be legible from a distance of 3 feet
Facility: Outdoor space for using extinguishers
3. Inspection and maintenance
Props: Various sizes and types of fire extinguishers; a. Monthly checks for:
small controlled fire for practice i. Inspection tag
Lesson: ii. Anti-tamper seal
iii. Weight or pressure check
1. Types and applications
iv. Damage or missing parts
a. Class A - fires involve materials such as wood,
v. Rust or corrosion
paper, and cloth, which produce glowing embers or
char b. Maintenance
b. Class B - fires involve flammable gases, i. Remove from service and place a spare in
liquids, and greases, including gasoline and most location
hydrocarbon liquids, which must be vaporized for ii. Only trained and certified personnel may
combustion to occur repair or fill extinguishers
c. Class C - fires in live electrical equipment or in 4. Extinguisher use
materials near electrically powered equipment a. Only when use does not present personal hazard
d. Class D - fires involve combustible metals, such b. PASS System
as magnesium, zirconium, potassium, and sodium i. P - Pull Pin
e. Combination - such as ABC or BC ii. A - Aim at base of fire
iii. S - Squeeze the actuating handle
iv. S - Sweep from side to side
c. Class C fires: Turn off power - never touch
electrical equipment or boxes with any part of the
extinguisher; shock hazard
d. Never allow a full or empty extinguisher to stand
upright - falling cylinder could break off valve and
cause a missile hazard
e. Never place an empty or partially discharged
extinguisher back in its original location - replace
with a fully charged extinguisher
f. Report any damaged or missing extinguishers
Practice:
Review lesson and then utilize information learned to
practice with fire extinguishers.

Cherryville junior firefighter practice using fire extinguishers to put out a controlled fire.
14 [Link]/juniors
Hose Pull
Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department
Skills: Hoses and Nozzles, Communications,
Apparatus, Teamwork, Water Supply Operations
Facility: Outdoor space near apparatus
Props:
- Fire apparatus
- Fire attack handline
- Fog or smoothbore nozzle
- Apparatus pump operator
- Radios to communicate when to charge line
- Extra personnel to re-rack hose lines

Lesson:
1. Different types of hose lays (ex. Flat load, triple lay,
reverse horseshoe, etc.)
2. Positive and negatives of each type
3. Hose lays and location on each different apparatus
4. Importance of flaking hose out near entrance to
avoid getting hung up
5. Importance of making sure all hose is out of the
hose bed
6. Importance of bleeding line and checking for proper
stream before making entry
Practice:
1. Grab the nozzle from the hose bed (on a flat load).
2. Begin to pull nozzle and walk away from the truck.
3. Walk past the fire until all the hose is out of the
hose bed.
4. Approach the fire entrance with the nozzle while
flanking hose behind you in an according fashion.
5. Tell apparatus operator to charge the line.
6. Open nozzle to bleed off air and check the stream.
7. Close nozzle and back away.

Top photo: Westhampton Beach Fire Department junior

firefighter practices rolling hose. Middle and bottom photo:
Junior firefighters at the Cherryville Fire Department practice
hose lays.
[Link]/juniors 15
 Foam Training 3. Foam types and what type of fire each is used for
Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department 4. How foam is produced from truck to nozzle
Skills: Hoses and Nozzles, Water Supply Operations 5. Importance of keeping a foam seal (not allowing
Facility: Outdoor space near apparatus people and trucks to go through foam blanket and
break it up)
Props:
- Fire apparatus 6. Importance of knowing how much foam you might
need (because if you run out once you’ve started,
- Fire attack handline (no more than 200 feet) you wasted it)
- Foam
Practice:
- Apparatus pump operator
1. Pull fire attack handline.
- Foam nozzle
2. Place inductor on apparatus discharge.
- Foam inductor
3. Hook attack line to inductor.
Lesson:
4. Hook foam nozzle to other end of the handline.
1. Foam uses (fire control and salvage and overhaul)
5. Set inductor percentages based on foam type and
2. Foam application methods (roll on, banking, and
needed percentages.
rain down methods)
6. Begin flowing foam using one of the three methods.

Junior firefighters practice using foam as a fire suppressant at the Cherryville Fire Department.
16 [Link]/juniors
Ventilation
Courtesy of the Cherryville Fire Department
Skills: Ventilation, Fire Behavior, Equipment,
Apparatus, Safety
Facility: Building with an exterior door, outdoor
training space
Props: Los Angeles County Fire Department program advisor teaches
basic first aid to junior firefighters.
- PPV fan
- Fuel for fan EMS and First Aid
- Apparatus pump operator Courtesy of the East Norwich Volunteer Fire
Company No. 1
Lesson:
Skills: First Aid, Search and Rescue, Automobile
1. Importance of ventilation and why we do it
Extrication
2. Difference in natural and forced ventilation
Facility: Indoor or outdoor space
3. Situations when we should use forced ventilation
Props:
4. Types of forced ventilation
- Backboard and strap system
5. Importance of positive pressure fan and creating a - Head blocks
seal with a doorway
- Bandages and gauze
6. How PPV need compartmentalization to force
- Splint
smoke out (small areas over large areas)
- Blood pressure cuff
7. Importance of air monitoring afterwards to ensure
safe environment - Stethoscopes
- Pen light
Practice:
- Disposable gloves
1. Place PPV fan in position in front of door way.
- Tourniquet
2. Properly crank the fan.
- Dummy for CPR practice
3. Check seal on door by feeling top and bottom of
- Airway management tools
door frame.
Lesson:
4. Compartmentalize to move air smoke one room at a
time. 1. Demonstrate CPR; consider providing certification
course to juniors through American Red Cross or
5. Shut fan off properly.
other organization
6. Monitor interior atmosphere with gas meter.
2. Demonstrate AED use and discuss procedures
3. Review basic anatomy and procedure for initially
approaching a victim
4. Demonstrate various first aid activities, such as
looking at a patient’s eyes, taking blood pressure,
listening to a heartbeat, putting an arm in a splint,
and using a tourniquet
Practice:
1. Have a volunteer lie on the floor and let other
juniors properly stabilize and get ready for
movement to ambulance.
2. Let juniors practice using splits and tourniquets on
each other.
Cherryville Fire Department program advisor leads a drill on 3. Practice CPR and AED usage.
using fans for ventilation.
[Link]/juniors 17
 Multi-story Fire Simulation
Courtesy of the Soldier Township Fire Department
Skills: Communications, Water Supply Operations,
Hoses and Nozzles
Facility: Outdoor multi-story training building or other
structure that can get sprayed down
Props:
- Apparatus
- Hose line
- Turnout gear for each junior on hose line
- Traffic cones or empty buckets
Lesson:
1. Review fire behavior and the principles of fighting a
multi-story fire
2. Review hose line operations and communications

Practice:
1. Set traffic cones in windows of training building or
at various heights on other buildings/structures.
2. Have three to four juniors get on the hose line.
They should open the line, advance on the fire
while communicating with the team, and adjust the
nozzle while aiming at the cones in various locations
until the cone falls over.
3. Juniors should rotate through the line to practice
being at the front and back of the line.

Solider Township Fire Department junior firefighters use cones

to simulate a multi-story fire.

18 [Link]/juniors
Bailout System
Courtesy of the East Norwich Volunteer Fire
Company No. 1
Skills: Ropes and Knots, Safety, Search and Rescue,
Accountability and Emergency Evacuation
Facility: Engine bay with ladder truck or other
platform (following state and local height restrictions
for youth) with area to secure rope
Props:
- Lifeline rope
- Carabiners
- Turnout gear (one set per student, or share),
including hoods and gloves
Lesson:
1. Review importance of bailout systems and using
ropes only once in emergency situations
2. Review ropes and knots, how to rappel using a rope
and knot system, and safety considerations for
escaping using a bailout system
3. Situations when we should use a bailout system
4. Other methods of escape from a hazardous situation
Practice:
1. Juniors should be in full turnout gear. Program
advisors should position themselves with at least
one person on the ladder truck or other platform
and at least one person on the ground. Juniors
should climb up to the platform one by one.
2. At the top, program advisor will review system and
let the junior set up their rope. They will correct
any errors and check for safety.
3. Check for ground clearance and then junior will
swing off the platform using the bailout system and
lower themselves down to the ground below.

East Norwich Fire Company junior firefighters practice a bailout

system drill.

[Link]/juniors 19
section IV Case Studies
Over one million first responders, both volunteer
and career, protect our nation from disasters large
and small every day. Fire departments have different
resources available to them, different guidelines and
regulations depending on their location, and different
weather patterns to consider. All of these departments
are joined in the mutual goal of protecting life,
environment, and property.

The following departments represent youth programs

from a variety of paid, combination, and volunteer
departments; geographic locations; and population
sizes. Yet each of these featured locations offer an
exemplary junior firefighter program that is producing
the next generation of fire service leaders. Their
training drills and other department activities are listed
throughout this guide. For more information about
any of these programs, please contact the NVFC at
juniors@[Link] or 1-888-ASK-NVFC (275-6832).

East Norwich Volunteer Fire Company No. 1

Location: East Norwich, NY
Department type: Volunteer
Year program founded: 1993
Number of enrolled junior firefighters: 29 advisors stand on the platform and on the ground
Age range: 12-17 below to provide assistance.

The East Norwich Volunteer Fire Company junior Being on an island, they have also visited a local
firefighters focus on a mix of training and community SCUBA diving center for SCUBA training. The
service initiatives. They usually meet twice and have instructors at the Dive School teach the juniors about
one to two special events per month. Many of their dive and water rescue techniques and water and pool
trainings are specific to their location on Long Island, safety. They return once a year for a refresher.
NY, just outside of New York City. In fact, many of the
firefighters are current or former Fire Department of In addition, junior firefighters took a field trip to nearby
New York City personnel. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York
City. Airport firefighters showed them the command
One important drill lets juniors practice bailout center and airport apparatus, and then they observed a
systems. In 2005, several firefighters were killed when mock airplane crash fire suppression.
completing a rescue on the 5th floor of an apartment
building and had no way to get out. All departments Junior firefighter program advisor Jerry Presta has led
serving areas with high-rise buildings in the New York the program since 1999 and has grown the program
City area now focus on having the tools and training from 6 to 37 juniors. He believes strongly in proper
to be able to rappel out of tall buildings. To safely training to help develop future leaders. “Training makes
simulate this activity, department leaders use a ladder them ahead of the game,” he said.
truck platform as the “window” of a tall building and
hook a rope through the ceiling. Juniors in full gear (no Find out more about the East Norwich junior firefighter
air packs) climb up one by one and review procedure program at [Link].
before swinging off the platform and lowering
themselves to the ground eight feet below. Program

20 [Link]/juniors
Westhampton Beach Fire Department In addition to hands-on training, the Westhampton
Location: Westhampton Beach, NY juniors coordinate many different fundraisers and other
Department type: Volunteer events to benefit their community. These include
Year program founded: 2004 spearheading a rock concert that raised over $6,500
Number of enrolled junior firefighters: 30 for a veterans organization, offering a fire safety puppet
Age range: 12-18 show to local home-schooled and elementary school
children, and holding an annual car wash that has
The Westhampton Beach Fire Department, which raised over $10,000 to date for the local burn center.
was named the 2010 NVFC Junior Firefighter Program In 2011, building on the national anti-bullying
of the Year, is located on the southeastern shores of movement, they created an anti-bullying campaign
Long Island, NY. The first junior firefighter program at called JAB (Juniors Against Bullying) that has received
the department was formed in 1904 and consisted of national and international attention and has helped
firefighters-in-training who helped move equipment provide a safe-haven for multiple local teens.
and hook up horse-drawn apparatus to the pump.
The area is quiet in the winter and bustling during The Westhampton junior firefighters impact the entire
summers as people from around the world visit the community as they train to become first responders.
beaches. Their modern junior firefighter program is at Program Advisor Paul Hoyle insists that the juniors are
its capacity of 30 individuals, with 8 currently on the the ones really making the program great. Learn more
waiting list. at [Link].

The Westhampton Beach Junior Fire Department

members meet twice each month, followed by training
which is built around Firefighter I curriculum. They
complete multi-part drills using the space they have
available at the department in addition to an off-site
training facility. For example, they hold basement
rescue drills at the department, breaking it into parts
and using each floor of the station. Juniors practice
forcible entry and search patterns using a stairway
down to a utility room, then head upstairs and use part
of the meeting room for the “basement” search. They
then stabilize and remove the “victim” from the scene.

[Link]/juniors 21
 Cherryville Fire Department The Cherryville junior firefighters are taught that their
Location: Cherryville, NC role as a firefighter doesn’t end with fighting fires, but
Department type: Combination also involves helping and serving their community in
Year program founded: 1983 any way possible. Learn more about the Cherryville
Number of enrolled junior firefighters: 12 Fire Department at [Link]/fire.
Age range: 15-17

The Cherryville Fire Soldier Township Fire Department

Department junior firefighter Location: Topeka, KS
program, which was named Department type: Combination
the 2012 NVFC Junior Year program founded: 2010
Firefighter Program of the Number of enrolled junior firefighters: 10
Year, is targeted toward Age range: 14-19
recruiting new firefighters
– and it’s paying off. The Soldier Township Fire Department Explorer Post
Approximately 90 percent has done a lot since they were founded just a few years
of their junior firefighters ago. They help their Topeka, KS, area department
continue in the fire service after high school. In fact, with multiple tasks, perform training activities, and
program coordinator Chris Cash was the first junior coordinate fundraisers.
firefighter in the department in 1983.
One of their drills simulates an attic situation. Their
The Cherryville junior firefighters follow a yearly program built a maze with repurposed lumber for a total
training schedule that focuses on safe, effective training of $28. Students go through the maze with a blacked-
through hands-on drills and classroom training. out face mask on and in full gear (including SCBA if
They cover donning and doffing personal protective they choose).
equipment, deployment of hose and appliances,
personal safety, first aid, smoke reading, and more. In They also train on hoses using an old training structure
a single year, the 12 junior firefighters in the program behind the department. The structure is no longer
complete approximately 1,200 hours of scheduled used for live fire training, but can be used for the junior
training. firefighter program’s purposes. Advisors place orange
traffic cones in the windows of each of the three stories.
A typical training might include a classroom session Juniors advance and aim to knock the cones out of the
followed by a four-part evolution. In the classroom, windows, practicing teamwork and communications in
each of the four drills is explained and safety the process.
considerations are addressed. The group then moves to
the engine bay and gets into their turnout gear. They
learn how to advance hose line into proper placement,
then move to putting out a fire in a propane-fueled
burn pan using fire extinguishers. Next, they learn to
operate a ventilation fan and discuss the importance of
ventilation on the fire scene. Finally, they learn how to
deploy an equipment tarp.

Community outreach is another important component

of the program. Each October, the Cherryville junior
firefighters play a crucial role in providing a fire
prevention day for the approximately 3,500 students in
their local schools. During the event, they help with
logistics as well as educate their peers about fire safety
and prevention. They also help with fire prevention
through a free smoke detector program for low income
and elderly community members.

22 [Link]/juniors
 part of the county. Explorers train to develop their
skills to participate in the Los Angeles County Fire
Department Explorer Academy, which takes place
over four consecutive weekends from Friday evening
until Sunday afternoon. The fourth weekend ends
with a graduation ceremony celebrating the juniors’
achievements and showcasing the skills they learned.
Station 3 and 54 junior firefighters who pass the
Academy are deemed “Certified Explorers” and can
participate in department ride-alongs.

The Explorers meet most Sunday mornings throughout

At a fire scene, the juniors help with rehab, equipment, the year from 8am-lunchtime and the program operates
breakdown, and cleanup. At the department, they much like an ROTC program. They must be on time
assist in writing burn permits and answering the and in a neatly pressed uniform. They line up and the
phones. Juniors are required to attend all Explorer Post advisors inspect their uniforms; juniors who are not
meetings and after a probationary period, they are also dressed to standard must drop to do push-ups. Then,
allowed to attend fire department meetings. When the they change into workout clothes for physical fitness
station’s basement needed renovations, the Explorers exercises, including running, push-ups in full gear, and
helped hang drywall. They have also participated practical exercises like hammer swings. Next, then
in mock wrecks as “victims” during fire department change back into uniform and practice technical skills
trainings. such as coupling hoses, ropes and knots, first aid/EMS,
using SCBAs, and pulling dummies. Juniors cheer
The juniors help raise funds through the department’s each other on during each exercise, encouraging each
annual pancake feed and “Rent-an-Explorer” program, member so that the whole team is uplifted.
where juniors assist local community members with
household tasks and yard work for a donation. The junior firefighters of Stations 3 and 54 are very
proud of their accomplishments and are looked up
Learn more about the Soldier Township to by other students at their schools. The program
Fire Department, at [Link]/ emphasizes teamwork and responsibility at the fire
StfdExplorerPost7700. department and outside of it.

For more information about the Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County Fire Department Fire Department Explorers, visit [Link]
Stations 3 and 54 gov/programsevents/[Link].
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Station 3) and
Southgate, CA (Station 54) Photos: LACountyGroup_casestudy,
Department type: Career LACounty_attention
Year program founded: 1998
Number of enrolled junior firefighters: 86 (combined)
Age range: 15-21

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Stations 3

and 54 Explorer Posts have just under 90 juniors – and
still have to turn down applications. Like most junior
firefighter programs, the Post raises all of its own funding
for uniforms and activities through fundraisers and
donations. Many of the Explorers also hold part-time
jobs in addition to the time they spend at the station.

There are over a dozen Explorer Posts in Los Angeles

County; Stations 3 and 54 are in the southeastern

[Link]/juniors 23
appendix Additional Resources
Federal National and International
> United States Fire Administration (USFA) - > NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program -
Provides national leadership to foster a solid National organization providing tools, resources,
foundation for our fire and emergency services and information for all junior firefighter and cadet
stakeholders in prevention, preparedness, and programs. Includes a listing of junior firefighter
response. [Link] camps, NVFC National Junior Firefighter
> National Incident Management System - Guides Academies, and other training and activities
departments and agencies at all levels of information. [Link]/juniors
government, nongovernmental organizations, > Junior Firefighter Program Handbook - Guide
and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, from the NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program
protect against, respond to, recover from, and providing sample Standard Operating Procedures,
mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, press release templates, recruitment ideas, and more
size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the to help start and grow a local youth program.
loss of life and property and harm to the [Link]/juniors
environment. [Link]/emergency/nims > National Volunteer Fire Council - Leading
> Occupational Safety and Health Administration - national organization representing volunteer first
Provides information on prevention of fire-related responders at the national level. Offers dozens of
injuries in all workplaces. free, online trainings and other health and safety
[Link]/SLTC/firesafety/ tools and resources. [Link]
> National Fire Academy Volunteer Incentive > National Fire Protection Association - Works to
Program - Intensive six-day educational reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other
opportunity designed specifically for volunteer and hazards on the quality of life by providing and
combination department emergency services advocating consensus codes and standards, research,
personnel. Junior firefighters ages 16-18 are eligible training, and education. Provides fire prevention
to attend these courses as long as they are and safety education materials, standards and codes,
accompanied at all times by their legal guardian. and training opportunities. [Link]
[Link]/nfa/resident/vip/[Link] > National Fire Protection Association Standard for
> Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications (NFPA
(FESHE) Program - USFA program that works to 1001) - Standard identifying the minimum job
establish an organization of post-secondary performance requirements (JPRs) for career and
institutions to promote higher education and to volunteer firefighters whose duties are primarily
enhance the recognition of the fire and emergency structural in nature. [Link]
services as profession. Includes a list of programs > American National Standards Institute - National
nationwide for high school student fire service multi-industry standards and accreditation agency.
training. [Link]/nfa/higher_ed/feshe/ [Link]
feshe_direction.shtm
> International Fire Service Training Association -
Association of fire service personnel who are
Training Drills dedicated to upgrading firefighting techniques and
> [Link] - National fire service safety through training. [Link]
magazine and web site featuring a variety of training
examples and drills. Please note that not all drills
will be suitable for youth.
[Link]/[Link]
> [Link] - National fire service magazine and
web site featuring a variety of training examples and
drills. Please note that not all drills will be suitable
for youth. [Link]/training-drills

24 [Link]/juniors
Notes
Supporting Those Who Serve

National Volunteer Fire Council

7852 Walker Drive, Suite 450
Greenbelt, MD 20770
202-887-5700

[Link]
National Volunteer Fire Council © 2012