
Standard Operating Guidelines For 16/17 Year Old Members
Anyone between the ages of 16-17 who are joining the Harrison Fire Department must be residents of the Town of Harrison, N.Y. or an adjoining town.
1. Due to NYS guidance, all HFD members age 16-17 shall be limited in their duties at fires or other emergencies.
1.1 Completing the New York State Basic Firefighting course will not exempt these members from the following requirements.
1.2 All members 16-17 must have signed permission slips from parents or guardians in order to join HFD and participate in fire department functions.
1.3 All members in high school must maintain satisfactory school grades ("C" average or better) to remain eligible. Each must show a copy of his/her grade report to a department captain within five days after it is issued. Failure to maintain or show grades will result in immediate suspension until an acceptable grade report is produced.
2. Responsibilities of 16-17 year old members at fires or other emergencies
2.1 No member will respond to any fire or emergency scene unless and until he/she has completed a 30-day probationary period and HFD training in Scene Support.
2.2 At fire or emergency alarms, members will report to the officer in charge or most senior ranking firefighter as stipulated by department by-laws .
2.3 On fire scenes, the duties of these members will consist of helping the apparatus obtain a water supply, aerial or lighting operations, keeping track of equipment, and similar exterior duties. They may also be assigned to assist at rehabilitation stations or support activities with the Incident Commander or as department line officers may direct.
2.4 Whenever one of these members is given a direct order by any senior member, he/she shall follow instructions immediately and without question.
2.5 If any member is aware that the atmosphere of the fire scene is becoming contaminated; he/she will notify a supervisor and leave the area in question.
3. Responsibilities:
3.1 All senior HFD firefighters, including chiefs and officers, are responsible for ensuring that the intent of these SOGs are complied with at all times.
4. Response criteria
4.1 Members will not respond to any calls during days and hours while school is in session.
4.2 On days of no school, these members will respond to calls only between 0600 and 2200 hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
4.3 Members must possess valid senior driver's license in order to obtain Blue Light Cards.
4.4 Members will not wear HFD pagers in school.
5. Discipline:
5.1 These members will not be permitted to the 2nd floor of the fire station unless accompanied by a member who is at least 18 years of age. The older member will be responsible for the conduct of the 16-17 year old members.
5.2 All 16-17 year old members will follow HFD standard operating guidelines and operating procedures without question.
5.3 Those who do not are subject to department penalties.
6. Support:
6.1 Occasionally, fire service activity may provoke feelings of stress, anxiety, etc. among firefighters.
If needed, the EAP (Emergency Assistance Program) is available to ALL HFD members. Available services include but are not limited to, appointments with a department chaplain (who holds 100% confidentiality), social workers, grief counselors etc. These services are knowledgeable, readily available and indispensable (absolutely necessary!) for those who find themselves in need of emotional support. Stress, grief counseling and chaplain visits are available through department officers and the Chief’s office. Such information is also posted inside the firehouse in conspicuous locations for anyone to contact these resources at their own convenience and privacy. Arrangements are always made discreetly.
7. Clarification:
7.1 Any interpretation or challenges of language or intent of these operating guidelines will be decided by the Chief of the Harrison Fire Department.

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