Volunteer Firefighters

Requirements

Application

High school students, are you looking for something different to do? Would you like to participate in an activity that is not only fun, but helps your community? Would you like to learn new skills that could lead to future job opportunities? Why not consider joining the Junior Firefighter Program at the Staunton Fire Department?

The Staunton Fire Protection District Junior Firefighter Program allows young people from the ages of 16 to 19 years of age to actively participate in fire department activities. Over the past 10 years, over 20 different youths have participated in the Junior Firefighter Program. Almost half of the youths who participated in the program have joined the Staunton Fire Department as regular firefighters when they reached the age of 19.

Junior Firefighters are considered support members of the Staunton Fire Protection District but they are allowed to take part in many fire department activities. Junior Firefighters attend fire department training sessions, assist with maintenance operations, assist with fund raising activities, assist with public education functions, attend departmental functions and meetings, and are allowed to respond to specific types of incidents and perform support roles at incident scenes.

Junior Firefighters receive extensive opportunities to take part in fire department operations under controlled conditions. Junior Firefighters have attended state and nationally certified training programs. They have learned skills such as the operation of pumping apparatus, rescue tools, and self-contained breathing apparatus. They have responded to numerous incidents. Several Junior Firefighters even responded to assist with support operations during the Staunton High School fire several years ago.

Youths who participate in the Junior Firefighter Program receive many different benefits. They learn new skills, develop new friendships, receive new challenges, receive a chance to serve their community, and develop future job skills. The Junior Firefighters also receive department uniforms and personal protective equipment. Junior Firefighters are also invited to attend all department social functions which include the annual dinner dance, picnics, and sporting events. Junior Firefighters are also moved to the top of application list if they apply as a regular firefighter when they turn 19 years old.

In order to join the Junior Firefighter Program, youths must be between the ages of 16 and 19 years of age and live within the Staunton Fire Protection District. Junior firefighters must complete a formal application and must have parental approval to participate in the program. Junior Firefighters and their parents will be required to attend an interview meeting with the Staunton Fire Protection District officers prior to acceptance. After acceptance, Junior Firefighters are required to maintain their school work in an acceptable manner.

You can obtain more information about the Junior Firefighter Program by contacting any current member of the Staunton Fire Department. You can also stop by the fire station any Monday evening and visit with the members of the Department.

• Junior Firefighters shall meet all the application requirements of the Staunton Fire Department and the Staunton Fire Protection District as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws.

-  Residency in the Staunton Fire Protection District.

-  16 to 19 years of age (or 12 to 19 if you have direct family relationship in dept.)

-  Currently maintains adequate grades in school.

• Junior firefighters shall attend training sessions to learn proper techniques for all emergency operations, i.e. rescue, vehicle extrication, fire attack, etc.

-  The department will provide training in all areas of fire department operations.

-  All junior firefighters are expected to attend a minimum of 12 training sessions per year.

-  Training sessions are offered every Monday evening starting at 6:30 pm at lasting approximately 2-3 hours. Special junior firefighter training sessions will be provided once per month.

-  The more training you attend the more comfortable you will feel with department operations

-  The department uses extensive outside agencies to provide training. This includes the Illinois Fire Service Institute, the Illinois State Fire Marshal Certification Programs, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, etc.

-  Junior firefighters will only be allowed to participate in training that is approved by department officers.

• Junior firefighters shall respond to those incidents specifically allowed by the junior firefighter standard operating guidelines. Junior firefighters are expected to respond to alarms that they are available to respond to based on school, work, and family commitments.

-  Junior firefighters will always respond in a non-emergency mode.

-  Junior firefighters will only be allowed to perform support activities outside the hot zone at incident.

-  Junior firefighters will not respond to rescue incidents or mutual aid incidents.

• Junior firefighters shall adhere to Department Standard Operating Guidelines, Policies, Constitution and Bylaws. A copy of the constitutions, bylaws and standard operating procedures will be forwarded to you upon acceptance into the department.

• Junior firefighters shall assist in work details, fund raisers, and upkeep and maintenance whenever possible.

-  Work at the yearly Fourth of July celebration - total of 24-32 hours per year

-  Golf Tournament - total of 12 hours per year

-  Other special fund raisers as deemed necessary for department functions.

-  Work details are held once per month on Monday evenings.

-  Other special work details as deemed necessary for upkeep of equipment.

• Firefighters shall attend all meetings, drills and trainings possible.

-  Monthly meetings held the first Wednesday of each month and junior firefighter attendance is suggested.

-  Special committee meetings you may volunteer for or you may be asked to serve.

-  3M Meeting - second Wednesday of the month every other month - not mandatory for junior firefighters.

• Junior firefighters shall follow the orders of Senior Firefighters or Officers. A standard chain of command has been established within the department. You are expected to follow this chain of command.
• Junior firefighters shall maintain conduct and appearance so as to reflect on the department in a manner promoting good relations with all concerned. Any foul conduct will be dealt with as a severe infringement of departmental regulations. Probation, suspension, or termination may be imposed depending on the severity of the problem.
• Junior firefighters shall relay any information which affects their firefighting duties to officers. This includes such information as health problems, residency, employment status, etc.
• Firefighters will maintain all equipment assigned to them in a ready state.

-  Firefighters will receive a complete set of bunker gear, uniform shirt, and pager upon the completion of   your initial probation.

-  Firefighters are expected to maintain the equipment and report any damaged or lost equipment            immediately.

-  Upon termination or resignation from department, all equipment must be returned. Any equipment not      returned will be billed to the individual at replacement value.

• All junior firefighters will receive standard benefits. These benefits will include the following:

- Insurance

                    - Social Events

- Family events

- Years of service award program

Staunton Fire Department Junior Firefighter Program

Challenge...Fun…Civic Contribution...Friendship...Adventure…Learning

• Firefighters shall meet all the application requirements of the Staunton Fire Department and the Staunton Fire Protection District as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws.

-  Residency in the Staunton Fire Protection District.

-  19 years of age.

-  Work does not require constant travel outside the district limits.

-  Obtain class B drivers license within 30 days of acceptance into department.

• Firefighters shall become proficient in: driving all department vehicles; use of all emergency equipment of the department; operating pumps and portable equipment.

-  Training in this area will be provided by the department.

-  Standard operating guidelines on driving, equipment use, and department operations will be forwarded to you upon acceptance into department.

• Firefighters shall have a working knowledge of basic first aid and CPR.

-  Training in this area will be provided by the department.

-  Most emergency medical care at incident scenes is provided by the Staunton Area Ambulance Service.

• Firefighters shall attend training sessions to learn proper techniques for all emergency operations, i.e. rescue, vehicle extrication, fire attack, etc.

-  The department will provide training in all areas of fire department operations.

-  All firefighters are expected to attend a minimum of 15 training sessions per year. Officers are expected to attend a minimum of 20 training sessions per year.

-  Training sessions are offered every Monday evening starting at 6:30 pm at lasting approximately 2-3 hours.

-  The more training you attend the more comfortable you will feel with department operations

-  The department uses extensive outside agencies to provide training. This includes the Illinois Fire Service Institute, the Illinois State Fire Marshal Certification Programs, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, etc.

-  Obtaining certifications is considered advantageous for firefighters.

• Firefighters shall respond to all alarms as expediently as safety allows. Firefighters are expected to respond to all alarms that they are available to respond to based on work and family commitments.
• Firefighters shall adhere to Department Standard Operating Guidelines, Policies, Constitution and Bylaws. A copy of the constitutions, bylaws and standard operating procedures will be forwarded to you upon acceptance into the department.
• Firefighters shall assist in work details, fund raisers, and upkeep and maintenance whenever possible.

-  Work at the yearly Fourth of July celebration - total of 24-32 hours per year

-  Golf Tournament - total of 12 hours per year

-  Other special fund raisers as deemed necessary for department functions.

-  Work details are held once per month on Monday evenings.

-  Other special work details as deemed necessary for upkeep of equipment.

• Firefighters shall attend all meetings, drills and trainings possible.

-  Monthly meetings held the first Wednesday of each month are firefighter attendance is required.

-  Special committee meetings you may volunteer for or you may be asked to serve.

-  3M Meeting - second Wednesday of the month every other month - not mandatory for firefighters.

-  Officer Meeting - Monday before monthly meeting - not mandatory for firefighters.

-  District Meeting - First Tuesday of the month - not mandatory for firefighters.

• Firefighters shall follow the orders of Senior Firefighters or Officers. A standard chain of command has been established within the department. You are expected to follow this chain of command.
• Firefighters shall maintain conduct and appearance so as to reflect on the department in a manner promoting good relations with all concerned. Any foul conduct will be dealt with as a severe infringement of departmental regulations. Probation, suspension, or termination may be imposed depending on the severity of the problem.
• Firefighters shall relay any information which affects their firefighting duties to officers. This includes such information as health problems, residency, employment status, etc.
• Firefighters will maintain all equipment assigned to them in a ready state.

-  Firefighters will receive a complete set of bunker gear, uniform shirt, and pager upon the completion of your initial probation.

-  Firefighters are expected to maintain the equipment and report any damaged or lost equipment immediately.

-  Upon termination or resignation from department, all equipment must be returned. Any equipment not returned will be billed to the individual at replacement value.

• All firefighters will receive standard benefits. These benefits will include the following:

-  Insurance

-  Social events

-  Family events

-  Years of service award program