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County fire chief asks commission to explore lowering junior firefighter age to 14
Summary
Randy Hegwold asked commissioners for permission to check with the county's insurer and area chiefs about lowering the junior firefighter program age to 14 and to return with a formal proposal; commissioners asked that any change be reviewed for insurance and training requirements.
Randy Hegwold of Linn County Rural Fire and Emergency Management summarized recent calls and outreach and asked permission to contact the county insurance carrier and neighboring fire chiefs about lowering the junior firefighter minimum participation age to 14.
Hegwold said the junior program currently functions like many departments' youth programs—limited duties, training, and daytime responses when participants maintain school performance—and that lowering the age could give the department longer-term retention and recruiting benefits. Commissioners emphasized the need to confirm insurance liability, define training and scope of duties (no interior fire attack or driving), and align any program with curriculum or national guidelines if practical.
Hegwold agreed to contact insurance and chiefs in Southeast Kansas, research model programs, and return with a written proposal and recommended age and operating rules in a few weeks.
