[Adopted 11-14-1988 by Ord. No. 414, approved 11-14-1988 (Ch. 58 of the 1977 Code); amended in its entirety at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The purpose of this article is to establish a junior volunteer firefighter company to promote the training of future volunteer firemen.
A. 
A member must:
(1) 
Be 16 to 17 years old.
(2) 
Obtain an employment certificate to participate as a member of the Athens Borough Fire Department. Such a certificate may be obtained through the local school district.
(3) 
Be capable, at the time of application for membership, of performing the duties of a fireman.
(4) 
Be a resident of Athens Borough for six months prior to application or reside in a residence located within an eight-mile radius of Athens Borough six months prior to application.
B. 
Once having gained membership, a member shall not lose it due to a disability or change of residence.
A copy of the child labor laws will be given to each junior firefighter when applying for membership and a copy of the laws will be kept on file with the Athens Borough Fire Board and the Athens Borough Council.
A. 
Sixteen-to-seventeen-year-old minors who have completed a fire training course (such as one given at a county fire school), in conformance with state standards, may participate in firefighting activities if they are under the direct supervision of the Fire Chief or an experienced line officer.
B. 
Sixteen-to-seventeen-year-old junior firefighters are still prohibited, however, from any of the following activities, by law:
(1) 
Operating an aerial ladder or platform or a hydraulic jack.
(2) 
Using rubber electrical gloves, insulated wire gloves, insulated wire cutters, life nets or acetylene cutting torches.
(3) 
Operating the pumps of any fire vehicle at the scene of a fire.
(4) 
Driving a fire truck, ambulance or any other official fire vehicle.
(5) 
Entering a burning structure.
C. 
Individuals 17 or over who have graduated from high school are no longer considered minors under the Child Labor Law. Therefore, seventeen-year-old junior firefighters who are high school graduates are not subject to any of the above restrictions. This exception also applies to those seventeen-year-olds who have been declared by the Chief School Administrator to have achieved their academic potential.
A. 
Every junior firefighter will complete 40 hours of a basic fundamental firefighting class, either Department-held or county-held fire school, before responding to a fireground scene.
B. 
The company-appointed officers in charge of the junior firefighters will see to it that the junior firefighters receive their training within two months of being an active member.
C. 
Training must be kept up by continuing their education at least one education class every six months.
A. 
No junior firefighter will violate any of the bylaws and rules of the Athens Borough Fire Board or either one of the companies' (Protection Hose Company No. 1 and Diahoga Hose Company No. 6) bylaws and rules.
B. 
At a fireground scene, the Athens Borough Fire Department officers are in charge of the junior firefighters and/or company appointed persons are in charge of the junior firefighters.
C. 
The active, full-fledged firefighters are the first ones to ride the trucks. If space is available, then a junior firefighter will be allowed to ride the fire vehicle. Active firefighters have first priority on the trucks.
D. 
No junior firefighter will be able to cast any votes at election time or have any right to make nominations or second any nominations at any meeting. They do have the right to attend and voice their opinions through the company members who are in charge of the junior firefighters.
E. 
Any junior firefighter found in possession of any alcohol or drugs or under the influence while in the stations, at activities or on fireground scenes will be suspended following an investigation into the problem.
A. 
Any person applying for an application shall meet the requirements already mentioned in these bylaws. Once an application is received, it will go to the regular company meeting to which the person is applying. There, if that company approves the application, it will then be turned over to a membership committee. This committee shall consist of the Fire Chief or appointed line officer of their choice and two persons from each company. They will interview the applicant within one month and then return to the company with their recommendations by the next meeting. Parents are encouraged to come to these interviews. A six-month probation period will be enforced and each member will be reviewed by the membership committee.
B. 
Once a junior firefighter turns 18 years old, they are no longer considered a junior firefighter. One month before a junior firefighter turns 18 years old, they may put their application in to the company of their choice. No junior firefighter will become a member or an active firefighter automatically to the company or the Athens Borough Fire Department.