SHOULD CHILDREN BE AT THE FIREHOUSE DURING A CALL?

[gitchell]

I'M A MEMBER OF A VOLATEER FIRE CO. AND AT THIS TIME WE'RE HAVE A PROBLEM THAT MAY SPLIT THE COMPANY APART ALOT OF MEMBERS ARE COUPLES AND HAVE CHILDERN AND PEOPLE BRING THERE KIDS WITH THEM TO THE FIRE HOUSE WHEN THE DEPT. IS ON A CALL. A MEMBER WANTS TO STOP HAVING KIDS AT THE DEPT. AT ALL TIMES. I WELCOME ALL FEEDBACK PLEASE.

[This message has been edited by gitchell (edited January 21, 2000).]

[Phred]

Kids welcome in the firehouse? You Bet! Those kids of today are tomorrow's firefighters. Make them feel unwelcome in the firehouse now, and how do you expect them to come back and join when they become of age? And, if you make it difficult for firefighters to provide a safe refuge for their kids, you'll probably loose the services of some scarce volunteers.

We've always allowed kids to occupy the station while the parent(s) answered a call; there were a few easily complied with rules that all could live with:
Kids went directly into meeting room and Stayed there; turn on TV or draw on marker board; and Stay out of apparatus room. Older kids could be relied upon to watch the little ones. Infants were handled a little differently - we had volunteers who radio dispatched from their homes. The on duty dispatcher was also the baby sitter; firefighter dashes into dispatch house, drops kid and diaper bag, and continues on to the station.

[DED1645]

NEGATIVE!! Children do not belong at the station while they are out at an assignment. There are too many things children can get into. Especially if apparatus is left in the building. Children experiment w/ things too much and the equipement in a firehouse isn't what you want them playing w/. Future firefighter isn't grooming children that young. Let them make that decision later when they are old enough to.

[This message has been edited by DED1645 (edited October 09, 1999).]

[ProfVol]

Kids at the fire station during a call is a way of life for us. We have strict rules that they are in the day room, either one of the parents watch them or a non working dispatcher will. For all people who disagree, think about this, many volunteer are husband and wife, and may be the only available for a call. We have to protect the community especially now since we do everything including EMS. You must have a policy and follow it, it does work. Like the saying going " walk a mile in my shoes before you complain.

[morriss]

I, too, am a volunteer with young kids. I take them often to the firehouse. They are very interested and visiting is a privilege for them. However, when we are there, I do not respond to any calls. Un-supervised kids should not be allowed in my opinion. If there is supervision, then it is O.K.

[firefly37]

I agree with Phred about the future of the company. Especially with VOLUNTEERS. If you don't allow kids at all then you make it tougher on your members to volunteer thier time and you'll lose people.

During a call it is a tougher call. I would feel safe leaving my 11 year old sister at the fire house because she is responsible. I would however call my parents and let them know so they could come and get her. (Its about a 5 - 10 minute ride from my house). On the other hand there are older kids and younger kids that I wouldn't trust for more then a minute alone.

I guess what I'm trying to say is:
If there is someone who is responsible enough to know what to do in an emergency and the kids can be kept occupied I don't see a big problem with it especially if there is a parental supervisor that can check in on them or come down to watch them. Who knows you could be going to an 8 hour fire and no kid will watch tv that long.

I guess I didn't give a yes or no answer but a "use your head answer." But its something to think about.

firefly

[T ony Hartman]

At our department children are welcome as long as they are supervised. I feel some child will be future members and to deny them the chance to visit the station will make them think twice about becoming a member. Most of our members realize at there will not be someone at the station to watch kids and do not bring them on calls, but if they do have kids there they usally do go on the run. So I do feel having supervised children at the station is alright.

[Jim M.]

Like 'Phred' we're all in favor of children. Under no circumstances are they allowed in the apparatus bay and there must be someone present - either an adult or a responsible teenager. The more we involve the family, the more likely we are to be thought of as part of the family. Our kids tend to learn their most valuable lessons when we're not consciously aware we are teaching anything.

[Mulldog]

I think the whole thing has been summed up with the key words SUPERVISED & RULES

[fyrescue]

Well at our house our kids are welcome, as long as they stay out of the equipment bays and from under foot. They occupy the rec room, unless we have another crew standing by at our house, then they move upstairs to the kitchen and hall.

After last years Labor Day storm, which hit this area very hard, the ladies auxiliary decided to convert one of the upstairs room into a kids room. They are furnishing it with a tv/vcr, rug couch, toys, and other activities. This will keep them together near the kitchen when the ladies are there.

That storm left our area without power for several days, and many members and their families, including my own lived at the station during this time. It allowed us to do what we needed to do for the community while at the same time we knew our families were at the station warm, dry, and well feed.

It's all part of being a volunteer. But to repeat what someone said, you have to set rules, for your sanity and their safety.

Be Safe.

Mike

[Explorer_Chief]

How old are these kids, they really shouldnt be there with out an adult if they are under 13.

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John Barker
Wish me good luck ,
im presenting to get
an explorer post started!!!!!!!
WWW.CLEARCREEKFIRE.COM

[Bob Snyder]

We do allow crew members to bring their kids to the station during drills, work details, and parades. We also let them ride apparatus in the annual parades in town (such as the Halloween and Memorial Day parades), but the parents have to ride with the kids, the kids must be in the cab, and at least one parent has to collect the kids and vacate the apparatus with them in the event of a call during the parade. We find, as others have who posted here earlier, that most of these kids become crew when they're old enough, so it pays off.

We wouldn't allow unsupervised kids on the premises any time, during calls or not, and we generally don't allow kids around incident scenes. There have been some exceptions (for example, an officer who has his/her kids in the car when a call is dispatched will sometimes go to the scene to give an initial report, then leave as soon as the next unit gets there, drop the kids off with someone, and come back if needed).

[Vinny Del Giudice]

All good points. This is a tough one!

[Explorer_Chief]

how old are the "kids"?

[gitchell]

Thanks, for all the replys I have gotten
on the subject the only childern I can speak
for is my own when I say that my dauther
is supervised when we're at the station
to answer some of your ? the kids age from
the age of 1 to 13.

[Dragonslayer_34]

Every dept. will differ but as a rule children should not be at the stationduring a fire call!!! A father myself, like many of you, if I have my son and a call comes in I do not respond unless his mother is home I feel that there are too many things that he can get into that may injure him or worse!!
There are some guys who do bring there kids to a call and whoever remains behind watches them, BUT what happens when another call comes in and then there is nobody to watch them do you leave a firefighter at the station to watch them?? NO the kids are the responsibility of the parent not that firefighter and besides guys we have a job to do for the community not to babysit!!!

[Dalmation90]

Hmmmm, leave one firefighter behind to babysit...to free up three or four others to respond. Probably not a bad trade. Even better if you organize up a babysitter brigade that helps cover the kids at the station.

Age shouldn't matter, it's responsibility. I know ten year olds who are safer around the firehouse than some 20 year old members. I don't know of any members who currently leave their kids at the station, but in the past we have, and we probably will again in the near future as the "youngest generation" start getting old enough to be alone for a little while. They all knew the fundemental rule -- stay in the commons room (TV, pool table, paper & pens to doddle with). And most also would know to call the other parental unit to come pick them up, so they'd only be there 10 or 15 minutes usually.

[Firebear323]

Once again we visit the issue of having children in the station. My dept. and others in the area have had problems with this issue for many years. And I expect it to be an issue of debate as long as there are volunteer depts. As you all know we don't know when we are going to get a call and we can't leave the little ones at home all the time "Just in case". But as far as I'm concerned they are welcomed only if they are supervised. And I stress ONLY! And don't forget they are the future of our fire departments.

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FF J.H. Vandermark
Vestal Fire Dept.
USA

[edfc]

WE would have a tough time getting stuff on the street if we did not allow kids in the house. The key is supervision. In fact we have a sleep over for the kids and try to have a couple of family meals throughout the year. Each summer we place our station out of service for a day and have a picnic and swim feast for the families. It's a blast and has helped us attract at least 2 new fire fighters.

[Pamela Baber]

My husband and I both respond on the EMS side of our volunteer fire department. Our own children are all adults but our grandkids are frequent visitors at our home on the weekends. They are 5 and 7. Make a neighbor aware that the kids are over and if we get paged out, and our youngest son isn't at home, either we drop the kids at the neighbors, one of her two sons run over or
one of us stays at home. We are fortunate that we have a larger emergency response group with adequate numbers responding. Our hall would not be condusive to bringing children there.

[Kelly Tool]

I too am a volunteer. I agree with Dalmation on this one. I remember when i was a kid and my dad would leave me there. I behaved myself. If you can leave a member behind to baby sit than that would be the way to go. If your kids have been with you to the firehose than they should know what is right and wrong, but under a certain age I agree no child should be left alone. This definetly depends on how many people you get to come. For instance if you are volunteers and need ever member than leaving a 10 year old there might be ok. But if you are paid than your kids should all ready be at the babysitters. In other words it is really a call on the parents behalf and what the FD feels is neccessary.

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Put the wet stuff on the red stuff!

[Wayno]

Alright folks I'm throwing my 2 cents in this one also:
I am a FF/EMT-P and an officer and my wife also is an EMT. I have 2 kids neither is older than 5. Many of our other members and officers have children as well. If you tell me that I can't bring my children to the house we are going outside and dance. My kids are my life! How ever I will not abandon them there unless there is a mature individual to look after them. My wife and I have chosen a few that we would leave our kids with but not many.


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No Dragon To Big To Tame!!

[Polarbear]

This has been an issue that has come up as of late. Most of the time if there is a call and I have the kids, usually the 2 younger boys (8 and 10), I will respond (as per protocol)to the station and they will sit in the meeting room and watch TV. We have had a problem lately where a member who has 2 children under 6 that she has responded and left them in the car and went to do Fire Police duty. This in my opinion is wrong. I wouldnt agree if she even left them at the firehouse because there is noone there to watch them. every situation is different. Depends on the ages and if someone available to watch them .

Polarbear

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[mfrd81]

Yes. I think children can come into the fire station, as long as there is someone there to supervise them. If one spouse is visiting another spouse who is working at the station, then the spouse who is not working should keep an eye on the children just in case a run happens.

At my former fire house, we had "visiting hours" for families. During the week, families could come during dinner time and more extended hours were allowed on weekends. It worked out fine.


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[Lieutenant Gonzo]

At our firehouse, kids, parents, everyone is welcomed to visit. Station visits are a great public relations tool and can be used to educate the public about what we do. We have an engine and a ladder company in my station. When kids come to visit, they must have parental supervision. When they come in, we have Fire Alarm sound our station's alert tone and instruct the kids to go to a certain area so they can be accounted for. If both pieces have to respond, we inform the parents that we have to secure the station, but they are welcome to wait for us until we return.

What your Department needs is a written protocol about children's visits. It doesn't have to be rocket science, just a few simple guidelines. Don't let "Grumpy" spoil your Department's future!

Stay safe....Lt. Gonzo

[This message has been edited by Lieutenant Gonzo (edited December 08, 1999).]

[craig7404]

We to allow kids at the fire station during a call. We have a older member watch them or one of the older kids (age 13 or above) watch them or the station radio operator will watch them. The way we look at it, you can't just leave young kids at home with no one to watch them. But at the same time you can't have young kids at the station unattended. Myself, my daughter, now 15, has made alot of calls riding in my own car, and watching me from it on the scene. Of course every dept. has different rules on this subject but our dept. is small and we are almost always undermanned, so you do what you have to.

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Good Luck
Captain
Craig Lambert

[Engine508]

I am not a firefighter yet...But my brother is, and I have responded to many calls with him and stayed at the firehouse. I am 15 years old and I have stayed at the firehouse many times even though I am old and mature enough to realize whats right and whats wrong and all that stuff..But anyway...It is ok with our department if a firefighters child is in the station. They are told to stay in the Recreation room and are not aloud to go in the engine bay....Even though there really isnt anything in the bay that they can get hurt by or damage because most of the extra equipment,gear,tools, etc. are locked upstairs in a room. Usually It is fine I have walked in the station a few times while the truck has gone out on a call and a firefighters child is sitting there on the couch watching tv. My opinion It is ok to have kids in the station when on a call.Sometimes you cant help it when you are out and the tones go in you gotta do what you gotta do ya know..Besides usually there is a member or 2 that missed the truck and stay at the station till the guys get back.
My opinion is any kids 6- up can stay at the firehouse unattended they should be able to know right from wrong at that age and just give them the remote..And let them watch tv..And if it is a large fire you get called in on..Tell them to call someone at home to pick them up. Simple as that...

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Andrew
"You Go....We Go"

[seagraves-100]

You just remember to tell that person that does not want the kids in the firehouse that the station is a public building and open to anyone of any age,so be it that mom or dad has to bring the kids with when responding to a call,let this member have a situation arise,and tell him We are so very sorry we cannot ansure your call for help because there is no one available to watch our children.sucks to be him or her,I'm sorry but I have to tell it like it is,the door was open when he or she applied for membership,If he or she does not like it they can just do the right thing and RESIGN
Well I have spouted off long enough and stood on my soap box.Hope this insight has helped a little........
seagraves-100

[hfd55]

I think kids at the firehouse is great, it lets them see what is going on and hopefully inspires them to one day pick up the torch. After all grew up in the firehouse with my dad and now I'm following his footsteps. So just tell people to lighten up there just kids.

[JBROWNL8]

OK! My turn. I do agree that there has to be some strong and enforced ground rules. Also, it does help to bring in future members. I happen to be a product of that. In 1977,(I was 6 years old) my father decided to join a volunteer fire dept in the unincorporated area just on the northern city limits of Houston. He worked nights so he would be one of the only few (like 3-5) people around during the day. So when a call came, and I was home from school, I had to go with him. Since I was too young to stay at the station, I guess I was fortunate to ride on the truck once and awhile. Now, you talk about the hair on your arms rising on your arms when the Q goin. My dad could have stayed home because no one to watch me, but someone called and needed help.

Then 10 years later in 1987, I was fortunate to start in the same vol. dept when I was 16 as a Jr. firefighter. 4 years later my younger brother did also. So both of our torches are now lit.

My father is now retired and brother is no longer volunteering. My torch is still lit and blazen for the same dept. now for 13 years. In 1994, we I was 23, I came a paid firefighter for a city southwest of Houston. I am 29 now and the hair still stands going on a call and hearing that Q.
So, YES,, it does pay off taking you children to the station. You never know what knowledge they might obtain. They may keep the family torch lit for years.

Be safe. God Bless!

J.B.

[jrff1]

Well, I really think that kids should be around. I think at the fire house you should have them around because they are really the only future we have. Nobody wants to volenteer any more. So if you show them the fun you have and the duty you do they will take after you. Then when they turn the legal age they can join as Jr. firefighters and do the same thing you are!!!

[JerseyTruckie]

As a new parent but long time Firefighter I have seen a wide range of problems. I have seen 16 year old kids run around like freaks and break into things. I have seen 7 year olds sit in the members room as if they were in church. I hope that once my son is old enough to come with me to the hall(he is 4 months old now) he realizes where he is and that it is not a playground. I want to have the father son trips to the firehouse as a reward for a good week at home or in school and give Mommy the day off. If we were to get a run while he is with me it would depend on how old he is and if he can be trusted to be by himself in a place that i have a hard time not getting into things LOL....
Truck 1 to command-
Command go truck 1-
Command send me more engine guys the
rest have melted------SEE YA

[Bobby Hunter]

I grow up in a family of 7 firefighters, I was left at the station many times (around the age of 6 or 7), I was fine there. If you have kids you should go over some rules just incase they do get stuck at the station.I rode with my dad many time to the firehouse and even some calls, I was told what to do before I got there, if I didn't listen then the next time I couldn't go. I saw alot and learned alot. At 16 I joined and I knew what to expect on calls. I was never left alone until I was 7, Members should decide on an age that is resonable.Two members of my dept decided when the call goes out which one goes and which one stays, If only one was home they got left with a friend/Neighbor (which was done with me before I was 7)or they just don't go. Our dept has no rule it the parents decision. Thats the way it should be.

[Tinylad]

As most everyone else has said it comes down to responcibility. I myself have a 10 month old and have my girlfriends two daughters (6 and 4) half of the week. I don't even respond if she is at work. However, if I am at the station with them and someone is there to watch them (firefighters wife, etc.) then yes I feel it is ok to leave them seeing it is with a responceable party. I won't leave the kids alone until they are old enough to stay at home themselves. Hope this helps. Tinylad

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Be Safe All
Tiny

[lt.jmp21]

This to is a problem at my fire house. We have a couple in the dept with 2 young kids and they want to try to change the by-laws where as if 1 of them goes to the call and the other stays and takes care of the kids, they both get credit for the call drill,function, ect. This could be a solution to the problem but I think its not fair to our other brothers and sisters who go and put there time, effort, and most importantly lives on the line to get the same recognision as the one who stays home and baby sit while the other is at the call. I say if they both want to be FIREFIGHTERS they should except the responcabilities ok the job.

* These are my views and not nessacarly the views of the Active Hose Co or the NTFD.

[Mike DeVuono]

We have playstation at our house...that'll keep 'em busy for a while.

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