Junior Volunteer Program

Bored with being a video gamer? Want to add some excitement in your life? Have you always wondered what it would be like to be a firefighter? Make virtual reality real; join Bethany Fire Department as a Junior Firefighter Volunteer and be a part of something larger than yourself. By participating, you will become a representative of our department and be taught the value of discipline, leadership, honor and community service.
The program will teach you about emergency operational methods and techniques for firefighting, fire prevention and emergency medical services, and how the process of mastering these skills makes for a well-rounded young adult. Junior Firefighters interact with Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics and gain experience in a firehouse environment. The programs Advisors offer students advice on the skills, responsibilities and educational requirements for fire and emergency services careers.  Advisors also serve as mentors for them not only sharing emergency services skills but also life skills that will assist them where ever life takes them in the future. Anyone associating with your child at the department will be a member, passing all pre-employment requirements, which are very stringent, offering a safe environment for your loved one.
Junior members must be in at least 8th grade or be 14 years of age to join and can participate until 18 years of age.
• Parades or Special Events
• Fundraising Events
• Training
• General Standby
• Fire Safety / Prevention Education and Activities
• Meetings
• Assist in a safe and limited basis on emergency scenes
Junior members should attend regular monthly meetings or events for youth program participants. These may include basic training coursework, a fixed activity such as one of those listed above, or other activity with the department.
Junior members may only perform support or auxiliary work at fireground operations.• Junior members may not operate any fire department vehicle. Junior members and their parent or guardian must sign a waiver that includes full disclosure of risks and releases the department from liability should someone become injured.
You will be dismissed from the program if you are caught possessing or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any time, take part in any illegal activities or participate in any actions or behaviors that are judged to be unbecoming of public safety personnel.
Build confidence, earn respect and learn new skills to help you grow as an individual. Learn and practice teamwork and leadership skills.
Click Here to Submit a Junior Volunteer Application

Junior Volunteer FAQs

A:  Yes, when you are accepted as a Probationary Junior Firefighter, you will be scheduled for an Orientation session at which time you will be issued the following:  Bunker pants, coat, boots, helmet, hood, gloves and duffel bag, along with a copy of the IFSTA Fire Essentials text.  These items remain property of SFTFR and must be returned if you leave the Program for any reason.  Your gear will be kept at Headquarters Station and must be picked up and brought to all training events and responses.
A:  No Junior under the age of sixteen (16) shall ride in any department apparatus when the apparatus is responding emergency traffic.  Juniors may ride on apparatus under non-emergency conditions, if there is room.
A:  Juniors may not perform fire suppression involving structures or vehicles.
A:  Upon completion of the “Ready to Respond” requirements of the Volunteer Member Handbook, a Junior 16 or 17 years of age may respond to emergency calls under certain conditions.
A: Juniors may:
  • Attend and take part in supervised training;
  • Participate in department functions within the rehabilitation area of an emergency scene;
  • Support functions on an emergency scene, so long as the support function does not expose the Junior to hazardous environments;
  • Pick up hose, tools and other materials from an emergency scene once it has been declared safe by the Incident Commander;
  • Perform land-based search and rescue activities in areas not considered dangerous or identified as IDLH;
  • Operate a fire pump or equipment located outside the danger zone of an emergency scene at the direction of the Incident Commander;
  • Use pressurized hose lines, if properly trained, under the direction of the Incident Commander and outside of the danger zone.
A:  Yes, under specific conditions.  No Junior is to be at the station alone without a Volunteer or Employee present, unless it’s the brief period while waiting for a Volunteer or Employee to respond and pick up the apparatus.
A:  Upon reaching the age of 16, you will be enrolled in the Catawba Valley Community College system and you will receive certification credit for any classes taken at SFTFR through the college program.
A:  You will be suspended from SFTFR activities until you furnish proof that your grades are raised to C or better.  You are responsible for providing copies of your quarterly or semester grade reports to the Fire Chief.
A:  You are eligible to become a full Volunteer Firefighter member of SFTFR upon your 18th birthday and having completed the appropriate training prerequisites.
A:  Contact the Junior Firefighter Program Team Leader at recruitment@sftfr.net

Volunteer Fire Department of Bethany, Inc.

ADDRESS: 6052 NC-65
Reidsville, NC 27320

CALL: (336) 951-2155

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