The Independent Volunteer Fire Company instituted the Junior Firefighter Program as a training program for young men and women, aged 16-18, interested in serving their community and preparing to become active firefighters upon reaching the age of 18. At age 18, the Junior Firefighter is eligible to attend the Firefighter Course to become a full member of the Atlantic County Fire Academy upon successful completion will become a full member of the Fire Department.

First and forth most a Junior member does not fight fire in any way. Here is a list of things that a junior member will do:

1. On real emergency calls, junior firefighters can establish water supply from a fire hydrant, and establish an accountability system to keep track of firefighters in the fire building or other hazardous location. Junior firefighters are permitted to repack fire horse and clean equipment after calls.

2. Junior firefighters frequently undertake custodial chores around the fire station and are enlisted to assist in company work periods.

3. In any training sessions and actual emergency situations, the safety of the Junior Firefighter is of paramount concern to the Department. As such, the activities of the Junior Firefighters are limited in scope and the fire officers closely supervise them. The Junior Firefighters quickly become an integral part of the firefighting team during emergencies, serving in such important capacities as establishing a water supply, supplying equipment for interior firefighters, changing air packs, manning exterior hose lines and assisting with interior overhaul once a fire has been extinguished. It should be understood, however, that despite the training and supervision provided, firefighting is a dangerous activity and serious injury is a possibility. The fire officers will make every effort to minimize the Junior Firefighters' exposure to danger. It is also the responsibility of the Junior Firefighter to avoid known hazardous situations.

Eligibility

1. Any resident of the Town of Hammonton between the ages of 16-18, may make application for membership in the Hammonton Fire Department and request to be a member at Independent Volunteer Company known as Station 2.

2. The applicant 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. A minimum GPA of 2.0 ("C") must be maintained.

3. The applicant must complete an application, including a medical authorization and police background check. Included with the application is a parental consent that must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. The HFD Chief, Officers and membership of the Station, must approve the application.

General Rules

1. The general standard of conduct is to act in the manner of a professional. Junior Firefighters represent the HFD, and are expected to be courteous and respectful to fellow firefighters and emergency service personnel and all citizens served. The HFD will not tolerate vulgar, offensive, discriminatory or threatening language or gestures at any time. Junior Firefighters may not wear any article of clothing that, in the opinion of a fire officer, would be offensive to the public served. Violations will result in disciplinary action, and may include suspension.

2. The HFD maintains a "zero tolerance" policy with respect to drug and alcohol use and violation of public laws. Any possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, on HFD premises or apparatus, emergency scene, training drill, official function, or while in HFD uniform will result in immediate and permanent suspension from the RFD Junior Firefighter Program. Junior Firefighters may not smoke on HFD premises or apparatus, emergency scene, training drill, official function, or while in HFD uniform. Any arrest or conviction for a crime will result in a review of the circumstances by the HFD Chief and Officers, and may result in disciplinary action, including permanent suspension.

3. Junior Firefighters may not use or display emergency identification on their personal vehicle (e.g., blue light). Junior Firefighters may not wear clothing identifying them as a HFD firefighter, except assigned protective gear, uniforms or logo shirts/hats worn for official purposes only. Junior Firefighters will not be issued identification cards.

4. Junior Firefighters may not enter a HFD fire station unless a senior member of the department is present, and then only for official business (emergency response, training drill, department meeting or work detail). Junior Firefighters will not be given building keys or door lock combinations. Junior Firefighters may not bring friends into a fire station or permit them to be aboard fire apparatus.

5. Junior Firefighters must leave the station no more than 30 minutes following completion of the emergency response, training drill, department meeting or work detail. Or not be out no later then 10:30pm on a school night.

6. Junior Firefighters may not borrow HFD equipment for personal use.

7. Junior Firefighters may not operate HFD vehicles.

8. Power tools, hydraulic and pressurized air operated equipment, and cutting devices such as chain saws/roof saws, air bags and Hurst 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 16 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 or pressurized air operated equipment or cutting device at an emergency scene. The Junior Firefighter when operating any power tool, hydraulic, must wear full protective gear, including gloves and eye covering, or pressurized air operated equipment, or cutting device.

9. Junior Firefighters may climb HFD ground ladders or aerial ladder for training purposes only. Any ladder use must be under the direct supervision of a HFD fire officer or his/her designee. A ladder belt or safety harness and full protective gear must be worn at all times. Ladders or aerial equipment of another fire department may not be used by the Junior Firefighter without the consent of a fire officer from the other department and a HFD fire officer.

10. Junior Firefighters are not to participate in any HFD 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 be assigned pagers. The pager will at any time be taken to school during normal school hours.

11. Junior Firefighters must attend a minimum of 30% of training drills or meetings conducted each year. Junior Firefighters are not required to respond to emergency calls.

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

13. Junior Firefighters may not fill SCBA air bottles, and are to remain clear of the filling area when air bottles are being filled.

14. No firefighter is to ride on a truck step. All firefighters are to be seated in the truck cab when the apparatus is in motion. Junior Firefighters may not repack hose from the hose bed if the apparatus is in motion.

15. 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 HFD Officer.

16. Report any injury to a HFD fire officer or safety officer.

17. 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. Never accept contributions at an emergency scene. Those individuals seeking to make a contribution should be advised to consider a voluntary contribution to HFD as part of the annual fund drive.

Emergency Response

1. Junior Firefighters may respond to emergency alarms, except as outlined in (2) and (3) below. Junior Firefighters should respond to the firehouse or as directed by the HFD Chief. Junior Firefighters may respond on HFD apparatus if seats are available (Junior Firefighters will relinquish seats to senior firefighters as needed). Junior Firefighters are under the command of HFD fire officers from the time of their arrival at the station or emergency scene until released from duty by a HFD fire officer. If no officer is aboard the apparatus, the Junior Firefighter will be under the command of the driver until reassigned to a HFD fire officer. Firefighters are not to leave an emergency scene without the knowledge and consent of a HFD fire officer (each firefighter is to speak with a fire officer directly, not via a third party).

2. Junior Firefighters may not respond to an emergency alarm relating to a hazardous material incident, biological or nuclear hazard, explosive device, terrorist incident, police jurisdiction/crime scene assistance or mass casualty (defined as one likely to involve four or more individuals seriously injured or killed- such as an incident involving a train, aircraft or bus accident). Junior Firefighters are not to respond to a mutual aid alarm outside of Town of Hammonton unless directed by a HFD Officer.

3. Prior to responding to alarms, the Junior Firefighter must be trained, and demonstrate proficiency in the use of SCBA equipment. Junior Firefighter use of SCBA equipment at an emergency scene is reserved for defensive, escape purposes only. A Junior Firefighter is to remain well clear of an area of operation requiring use of supplemental breathing air.

4. Firefighters must wear all protective gear while riding on the apparatus and at an emergency scene.

5. Under no circumstances is a Junior Firefighter to enter a burning structure, confined space or underground area, or area subject to a collapse hazard. Once a fire has been brought under control, and the building determined to be structurally sound and free of hazardous materials and toxic gas, the Junior Firefighter may enter the building if accompanied at all times by a HFD fire officer or his/her designee. This must be with the consent of the Fire Chief may operate exterior hose lines under the direction of a fire officer or his/her designee. Junior Firefighters must remain well clear of a motor vehicle fire or other type fire presenting exposure to flammable liquids or hazardous materials. At an emergency scene, a Junior Firefighter may not climb a ladder or operate from a roof or other elevated position. At an emergency scene, a Junior Firefighter may not operate any power tool, hydraulic or pressurized air operated equipment, or cutting device.

6. Upon arrival at an emergency scene, a Junior Firefighter is not to enter a private dwelling or other structure with senior firefighters for investigation or emergency action of any type, unless expressly instructed to do so by the Fire Chief or a Fire Officer. Junior Firefighters are to remain with the apparatus or in close proximity to the incident commander, and await specific orders from a HFD fire officer. If the Junior Firefighter receives orders from an officer (or 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. If ordered to enter a structure by a RFD fire officer for any type of emergency action, the Junior Firefighter must be accompanied at all times by a RFD fire officer or his/her designee.

7. All orders received from a fire officer are to be obeyed and executed completely. If, due to safety concerns or for any other reason, the Junior Firefighter is unable to complete an assigned task, the officer issuing the order, or another officer in his/her absence, should be immediately notified by the Junior Firefighter who received the order.

8. At an emergency alarm involving downed power lines or gas leak, the Junior Firefighter must remain aboard the apparatus until the area of operation for the Junior Firefighter is determined to be safe by a HFD fire officer.

9. If assisting with directing traffic, the Junior Firefighter must wear a reflective vest and reflective striped turnout coat. In the evening hours, the firefighter must make use of a flashlight. The Junior Firefighter must operate only in an area within sight of fire apparatus and/or a police vehicle displaying flashing warning lights. The Junior Firefighter is not to direct traffic on a divided highway or in snow or ice conditions that may impare motor vehicle control. When assisting with traffic control or crowd control, the instructions of a police officer are to take precedence.

10. Firefighters are not to make any public comments or make statements to the media at the time of an emergency incident, or following the incident, concerning conditions relating to the emergency scene. Examples of comments to avoid are the cause and origin of a fire, condition of fire victims, condition of a home interior or fire fighting technique. All public inquiries are to be referred to the incident commander or HFD Chief. It should be understood by the Junior Firefighter that fire inspectors or arson investigators and other governmental officials are required to inspect certain types of damage- their presence may in no way indicate suspicion of wrongdoing on the part of the property owner. Firefighters must also understand that individuals whose property has been damaged or destroyed and/or family members injured or killed are extremely sensitive to the statements and actions of emergency personnel. HFD firefighters are expected to demonstrate the utmost of respect and compassion for these individuals in both their words and actions.

11. Valuables found at an emergency scene are to be immediately turned over to a HFD fire officer or police officer. Theft by a Junior Firefighter will result in an immediate suspension from the Junior Firefighter Program and the Iowa County Sheriff's Department will be notified.

12. Junior Firefighters are not to have any direct contact with an injured person or dead body unless properly certified (First Responder, EMT or Paramedic), and then only at the direction of a HFD fire officer or EMS crew chief. Report any accidental contact with blood or other bodily fluid to a HFD fire officer or safety officer immediately, so that medical treatment can be initiated promptly.

Equipment

Junior firefighters are equipped with a firefighting coat, bunker pants, glovers, safety glasses, Nomex hood, and a helmet which has some notation of involvement with the junior fire program, typically with a different color shield (such as orange).