A lot of young bucks got into the VFD because it gave them a way to get out of high school. Once they passed the initial training and application process they were issued a beeper. When it went off they would bow out of class and drive to the FD. They usually kept their bunker gear in their vehicle.
Not in our district. Pagers not even issued if you're in school. Also, you can't get a full Fire I cert unless you're 18 now - no live burn training, and no hydraulic tools for those under 18. Nevermid that these "kids" can kick my ass and are smarter than can be. They are "children".
We lost TWO barns on Monday morning, 11AM (first structure fire lit the second) because (among other things) there were only 2 adult firefighters around. We had 6 juniors, all off from school and in the area - none of them were allowed to respond because none of them were "old enough" to operate apparatus and the engine that rolled only has 2 seats. They drove to the firehouse, put on their bunker gear, and watched the smoke from the station.
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