Salt River Fire Explorer Post #2903

The Salt River Fire Department Explorer Post is a young adult program of the National Learning for Life Scouting Program. It is designed for youth ages 14 through 21. Through this program the fire department aims to provide youth of the Community the means and opportunity to: build character, learn and experience the responsibilities of active citizenship, develop personal growth and physical fitness, develop the ability to function as a part of a team, and familiarize members with the fire service in general. The fire department hopes to instill a sense of career in its explorer membership, providing education and training in Salt River Fire Department operations.

To assist in accomplishing its goals, fire department personnel, both civilian and sworn, volunteer as explorer post advisors to provide adult leadership and administrative functions for the program. The objectives of this staff are to design and participate in a program that focuses on the areas of: career, leadership, service, fitness, social interaction and responsibility, as well as Community awareness and appreciation.

Explorers learn first-hand how exciting the firefighters job is by working side-by-side with actual Salt River firefighters. Following an introductory training program, fire explorers respond to real emergencies with firefighters and paramedics, and assist them by performing routine, supervised tasks. Fire explorers assist with virtually all routine tasks in the community and around the fire station, including community relations, fire prevention, equipment and station maintenance, and training.

Fire explorers wear a uniform and are provided with helmets, turnouts, and other safety clothing. They are welcome members of the fire stations where they volunteer.

Becoming a fire explorer is an excellent way to develop qualities and gain experience that will be helpful in nearly any field of endeavor.

The purpose of specialized explorer posts is to expose these young adults to a possible career field, and to let them learn about and participate in this selected field. This opportunity will help the explorers to determine if this is an area they want to pursue as a career. Some of the explorers may find that they would like to pursue this as a career, some may find that it is not what they expected, while some may find that although they do not want to go into the field as a career, they may still enjoy it as a hobby or volunteer work.

Mission Statement

Provide young adults an effective explorer program designed to build character, promote citizenship, develop personal growth and physical fitness, develop the ability to function as a part of a team, and familiarize members with the fire service in general.

Program Goals

• Develop team building and leadership skills
• Provide knowledge of the firefighter-recruit testing process
• Learn basic firefighting skills, CPR and first aid techniques
• Promote physical fitness
• Become familiar with fire equipment and apparatus

Meeting Times

The program meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

Functions

• Physical fitness (PT) training
• Classroom training
• Practicing firefighting techniques
• Learning and practicing emergency medical skills

Fire Explorer Video

Hands-on training (drills) includes:

• Operating firefighting hoselines and nozzles
• Placing and climbing ladders
• Practicing search and rescue techniques
• Using Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• Operating fire hydrants
• Donning (putting on) firefighter protective equipment
• Vehicle extrication
• Live fire training

Participation in the majority of these activities requires physical exertion and they are performed while wearing firefighter protective equipment. Additionally, explorers participate in physical fitness activities such as running, weight training, push-ups, and sit-ups.

Other Activities:

• Ride along with "on-duty" fire companies
• Assisting at Community events
• Fund raising
• Public education and fire prevention activities

How to Become a Fire Explorer

Other Sites
Salt River High School Explorer Program Site

The explorers take applications for their 9-month academy from January to early August. Each academy begins in late August and runs through May of the following year.

To become a fire explorer, candidates must be between 14 and 20 years of age, have NO criminal record, maintain a "C" grade average in school, have parental consent (if younger than 18 years of age), complete the required introductory training, and must abide by the SRFD's rules of conduct.

For more information on Salt River Fire Explorer Post #2903, click on the link below and fill out the Salt River Fire Explorer Letter of Interest.

Salt River Fire Explorer Letter of Interest[PDF]