Frequently Asked Questions

Below are just a few of the topics that you may have questions about. Keep checking back-we�ll be adding more topics in the near future.

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

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.

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.

How can we market the program in our area?
For additional information on implementing and marketing your program, please see our Marketing Ideas page.

How do we join?
Your department or organization can join the program at no cost and be listed in our database by simply filling out and submitting the Program Registration form.

National Junior Firefighter Program

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