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Rules Governing Hazardous Occupations for Minors Under the Age of Eighteen in Non-Agricultural Employment
These rules are located on the website of the Secretary of State
Clarification for Junior Firefighters
For the purpose of this document, the Incident Commander* in the best use of his or her judgment shall determine hazardous and non-hazardous duties or situations.
Minors Under Sixteen
Minors Under Sixteen MAY:
- Perform non-hazardous duties at the fire station.
- Ride in the cab of fire apparatus responding to an emergency scene.
- Attend training sessions. However, if the training is deemed hazardous an instructor shall supervise the minor.
- Participate in non-hazardous duties only within the rehabilitation area at the scene of an actual emergency.
Minors Under Sixteen MAY NOT:
- Perform any hazardous duties at the fire station.
- Ride outside of the cab of any fire apparatus.
- Perform any hazardous work at the scene of an accident.
- Fight fires (except in training as above).
Minors Who are Sixteen and Seventeen
Minors Who are Sixteen and Seventeen MAY:
- Ride as a passenger in the cab of a fire truck or in an emergency vehicle. With proper training, fight ground fires when they are directly supervised, except ground fires which involve an existing "Crown Fire" exposure.
- Perform patient care (for which they are licensed) in an emergency vehicle or at the scene of an accident or other emergency.
- Attend and take part in supervised training. Participate in fire department functions within the rehabilitation area of an emergency scene. This could include setting up the engine, assisting in water supply efforts, and other support functions, which do not expose the Junior Firefighter to hazardous areas or atmospheres.
- Pick up hose and clean up at the fire scene after it has been declared safe by the Incident Commander.
- Enter a structure only when accompanied by an adult firefighter once the structure has been determined safe by the Incident Commander.
- Perform search and rescue activities, other than structural firefighting.
- Operate a fire pump located outside the danger zone at the direction of the Incident Commander.
- Use pressurized hose lines if properly trained, under the direction of an Incident Commander, and out of the danger area.
Minors Who are Sixteen and Seventeen MAY NOT:
- Perform fire suppression involving structures or vehicles.
- Drive fire department or emergency vehicles Respond with operating red lights (drive any vehicle, including their own car with attached operating red lights) to the scene of a fire or emergency.
- Perform firefighting "overhaul" activities (except when the structure has been declared safe by the Incident Commander and then only with adult firefighter). Respond to Hazardous Material events (except for support functions within the cold zone).
- Perform any activity, except training, which involves the use of self-contained breathing apparatus.
- Participate or assist in any extrication activities at the scene of an accident or emergency, except in the capacity of a support function.
- Participate in any activities at the scene of an accident or emergency where fire is involved, unless they are performing support functions from outside the danger area.
- Participate in actual "ice rescue" activities, but may provide assistance within any designated rehabilitation area or as a support member on dry land only.
- Direct traffic at the scene of a fire or other emergency.