SHAMOKIN – The Shamokin Fire Department has been fined for not having a credentialed State Academy Fire Instructor to supervise a live burn training with a 17-year-old firefighter.
The state Department of Labor and Industry announced this week the fire department was fined $1,000. The labor department says the 17-year-old involved in the Shamokin Fire Department’s training suffered non-life-threatening burns.
17-year-olds are now allowed to participate in live burning training sessions; but the labor department says the requirement newly went into effect in January as an amendment to the Child Labor Act.
The amendment also says these junior firefighters must also have permission from a fire chief and the minor’s parent or guardian. The labor department says fire companies in violation could be fined up to $5,000 per violation.
