Volunteer Cadet Idiocy in Iowa

[Retread]

Our Volunteer Fire has a good junior program taking 14-15 yo and 16-17 yo in different groups. Firefighting participation is limited by child labor laws and we strictly follow those laws. We have been in business long enough to produce some graduates who have become assets to our company. On the other hand sometimes our station looks like "Breakfast Club" but it does take a village to raise a child. The EMS division is not doing much, however, one real stumbling block is a prohibition of juniors riding vehicles in emergency response. The organization has some reservations about the liabilities of direct patient contact. Junior firefighters do train in CPR, FA and some to First Responder.

All in all it is good for the company and good for the young men and women involved.

[Dustdevil]

Very nice... you have to learn and start some where!

Then why not start them at age 12?

[FireMedic65]

Then why not start them at age 12?

Because that would be against the law

My point was, those who want to learn, should be taught. Even if it is just sitting there and watching.

[Dustdevil]

Because that would be against the law

How is 12 against the law, but not 14?

[FireMedic65]

How is 12 against the law, but not 14?

Don't ask me, I don't make the laws. Call your local Labor and Industry office and ask them.

[IowaEMT]

I'm guessing that they're desperate for help. About 90% of EMS in Iowa is provided by volunteers. There are very few services that aren't hurting for more members. We need to get the younger crowd to start replacing the old timers that are hanging up their boots. That being said I don't think this is a smart move. I know I was nowhere near mature enough at that age to be responding to fire/ems calls.