Junior Firefighters

1. What is the National Junior Firefighter Program?
2. How old do I need to be to be a junior firefighter?
3. What are the other requirements to participate?
4. How do I use the online system?
5. How can I find a local fire, rescue or EMS organization that participates?
6. What is the scholarship and grant program?

Department1

1. What is the National Junior Firefighter Program?
2. How can my department/organization participate?
3. My department participates in the Boy Scouts/Learning for Life Explorer Program, can we participate?
4. How do we join?
5. How can we market the program in our area?
6. What type of insurance or liability is needed for youth participants?

Junior Firefighters

What is the National Junior Firefighter Program?

The National Junior Firefighter Program is brought to you by the National Volunteer Fire Council with support from the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation and Spartan Motors. The Program supports fire, rescue, and EMS organizations nationwide to develop, grow, and promote programs that encourage participation by youth within the organizations. Through our web site, you can find out how to join a local fire, rescue, or EMS organization; keep track of your hours of participation; and earn exciting rewards after spending a set number of hours helping the organization.

How old do I need to be to be a junior firefighter?

The ages of participation vary by your local department, based on their local and state requirements, and other factors. The age ranges are typically listed in the online profile of the organization's program within our search system, although, in some cases, you may need to contact them directly.

What are the other requirements to participate?

The overall program requirements are different from organization to organization, but generally you must be in good academic standing with your school ('C' average in coursework); fulfill the minimum age requirements as outlined by the participating organization; be able to participate the minimum number of hours each month (typically at least one four-hour block monthly, although individual programs have specific date/time requirements); and have your parent's or guardian's written permission to participate. Once you contact a local participating organization, they will give you a full overview of their specific program, including individual requirements.

How do I use the online system?

The National Junior Firefighter Program provides an online system you can use to log in your hours of service with your local junior firefighter program. As you reach certain benchmark levels of participation, you earn unique prizes and opportunities. To register for the National Junior Firefighter Program, click on the Register Junior button in the left navigation area and follow the instructions to create your profile. Your department must be registered with the National Junior Firefighter Program in order for you to use the online system. If you department is not currently registered, ask your program coordinator to register the program. There is no cost to join or participate in the National Junior Firefighter Program. If you are not currently a member of a local junior firefighter program, use the search feature at the top of this screen to locate a program near you.

How can I find a local fire, rescue or EMS organization that participates?

What is the scholarship and grant program?

The NVFC's National Junior Firefigther Program, thanks to support from the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation, offers competetive scholarship to outstanding juniors to help further their education. The departments of each of the winning juniors also receives a grant to help further their youth program. Learn more about the National Junior Firefighter Scholarship and Grant Program.

Department1

What is the National Junior Firefighter Program?

The National Junior Firefighter program supports fire, rescue, and EMS organizations nationwide in developing, growing, and promoting programs that encourage participation by youth within their organizations. Our national program provides departments with the resources needed to start or expand their own program and offers junior firefighters the opportunity to track their own hours, compare their hours to other junior firefighters across the nation, and even receive rewards and recognition for their documented hours.

How can my department/organization participate?

The National Junior Firefighter Program is open to fire, rescue, and EMS departments/organizations who wish to promote their existing program or start a program from scratch. Our web site provides a searchable database where your department can be listed by registering your program. You can submit your existing program or start a program from scratch by using our resources as a guide. Joining our database allows potential junior firefighters to easily locate your department and find out what they need to do in order to join. Be sure to encourage your existing junior firefighters to register and log in their hours to get rewards and recognition.

My department participates in the Boy Scouts/Learning for Life Explorer Program, can we participate?

Yes, absolutely. You can add your program's profile to our database to participate in the National Junior Firefighter program and enable your post's existing youth members to participate in our program simultaneously. Your members will be able to register for our online system, log their hours, and qualify to receive incentives for their participation. Your program and its members will also be eligible to be included in our Awards program.

How do we join?

Your department or organization can join the National Junior Firefighter Program at no cost and be listed in our database by simply registering using the link on the left navigation panel.

How can we market the program in our area?

For additional information on implementing and marketing your program, please see our Marketing Ideas page.

What type of insurance or liability is needed for youth participants?

While the National Junior Firefighter Program does not advocate junior firefighters participating in operational activities, departments should check with their current insurance provider on what is required for youth who are present on your organization's property, regardless of how they are involved. Typically, a waiver that includes a full disclosure of risks will release you from liability should someone be injured. This form should be signed by the parent or legal guardian of the youth participant. An example waiver is downloadable on the National Junior Firefighter program web site within the sample applications, but it is always in your best interest to check with your insurance provider directly, as well as with the appropriate legal counsel, before you start the program or change any existing requirements.