Cadet Program Guidelines

Purpose: To maintain a standard of safety and performance for the members of the cadet program. These parameters have been developed by the Connecticut Department of Labor, The Commission of Fire Prevention and Control, and The Connecticut Fire Chief’s Association.

Scope: The following guideline is in effect for all cadet program members. The limitations of cadet duties also need to be understood by the regular members of the department.

Procedure: The Guidelines are broken down into 2 sections i.e. cadets who are 16-17 and those who are 14-15 years of age.

14 and 15 years-olds may only perform the following:

· Attend meetings that conclude no later then 10pm. throughout the year.

· Respond to incidents no later then 7pm and remain on-scene no later then 10pm.

· Wear PPE that readily identifies them as cadets.

· May participate in training that does not involve fire or smoke [except theatrical smoke], toxic or noxious gas, or hazardous materials.

· May respond to emergencies on FD apparatus after the age of 15

· Observe exterior firefighting activities, while under supervision.

· Participate in the clean-up of the scene, but only outside of the structure and only after the scene has been declared safe by the IC.

· Participate in functions within the re-hab sector.

· Members may use SCBA for training purposes and only after being medically cleared and fit tested.

The above duties may be performed between the hours of 7am and 10pm

The following activities may be performed by 16 and 17 year-olds

· Attend and participate in supervised training.

· Wear PPE that identifies them as a cadet

· May respond to emergencies on FD apparatus.

· Participate in functions within the re-hab sector.

· Pick up hose and clean up at the scene after the IC has declared the scene safe.

· Fight grass fires.

· Perform S/R operations not to include structural firefighting ops.

· Use pneumatic/power driven saws, shears, hydraulic type rescue tools and other power tools during training evolutions only.

· Enter the interior of a structure after the fire is extinguished and the structure declared safe by the IC.

· Set up uncharged attack lines exterior to a structure.

· Change SCBA bottles at emergency scenes.

· Assist with traffic control duties.

· Operate pumps, less then 300gpm at emergency scenes.

· Handle charged hoselines up to 1 ¾ “ in diameter.

· Members may use SCBA for training purposes and only after being medically cleared and fit tested.

The above duties may be performed between the hours of 6am and 12midnite

The following activities are prohibited for all cadet members.

· Driving department vehicles greater then 10,000gvwr.

· Driving department vehicles in emergency mode.

· The use of blue warning lights.

· Performing overhaul duties.

· Responding to Haz-Mat calls or other events which may expose the minor toxic or hazardous materials [allows for small MV fluid leaks]

· Entering a confined space

· Performing ‘off shore’ ice rescue activities.

· Performing any duty which involves the risk of falling a distance of 6 feet or more, this includes the use of ladders.

· Filling air bottles.

· Using of cutting torches

· Operating aerial ladders.

· Performing any duties involving the use of hoselines greater the 2 ½ “, this includes hydrant operations.

Date:12-06

Proponent: RHFD Staff

Replaces: New

Review: Yearly