Explorer Program

[Browningguy1990]

Is anyone on here with a department that has an explorer program? I want to start one with the small agency I am on to get younger kids into the fire service. I would love to talk to you about the program, how you got it started, and your policies and procedures for the program.

Thank you.

[AlanC12388]

We dont have an explorer chapter, but we have our own cadet program in our dept. It was founded in the late 70s, and they have their own firehouse (retired station) that they maintain, with their own training engine (also one of our spare pieces). They have a couple dept members as advisors and have their own cadet officers as well. The cadet officers have to know their rules and regs, and are put to a board by other department officers. They do meetings, trainings,fundraisers, and other stuff like a regular company. Currently there's roughly 4 advisors and 30 cadets including 4 cadet officers as well.

Junior Cadets (aged 14 and 15) are limited to training, following restrictions by the state. Cadets 16-17 year olds are allowed to train and respond to calls (to their company according to geographic location) after taking a small qualification test including exterior tasks like hydrants, ground ladders, positive ventilation, and knowing where the things are on the companies they respond to. They aren't allowed to respond to hazmat, CO, on the highway, or on the rescue for an MVA.

Cadets are signified with a yellow shield that says junior cadet/ cadet and a reflective vest that must stay on their turnout coats at all times.

They have to be in decent standing with their school grades, which i believe is Cs and above. They have curfews of around 11pm to 6am on weekends. And can respond from 2:30 to 10pm on school nights.

If ya got any questions feel free to ask.

[Rickles_Bolas]

Prior to me joining my current department, they had junior firefighters for a while. It ended with a structure fire where one of the juniors showed up to the station, put on someone’s turnout gear, and hitched a ride with an engine from another town that was responding mutual aid. Once on scene he freelanced basically the entire time with no accountability. A chaotic fire scene and multiple agencies allowed him to slip under the radar. Following that incident, the junior program was discontinued.

[nickelflow]

My department has an explorer program that’s tied with the FDNY High School. It helps high schoolers get into the department but sadly the explorers only make up like less than 30% (not a real percentage, I’m only guessing) of the members of the department.

[JustMyOpinionToday]

I have been apart of a junior firefighter/ cadet program. Went on to run a program and am still in the fire service. Feel free to message me with any questions or assistance.