How do you explorer officers punish your explorers

[Exp Snodgrass]

I have been an explorer for 3 years now and have held all the leadership positions. Most recently capt. we, dont really punish our explorers all that often. However you must earn all your privilages. If you don't preform you don't get to ridealong. The only time punative punishment is handed down is when an explorers actions make their way to the cheif in a negative way.

But I think Mike hit the nail on the head. As a fellow explorer watch what is said. You may think nothing of it but I have personally seen people expelled for something said out of district.

[mikeyboy]

Huh.....

Our chief values our explorers above most of the probies. He understands that the explorers are the future of the department and he takes an active role in training and supervising explorers. I'm sorry that your chief doesn't take an active role in the explorers, because I believe it has helped develop our post and our chief is more knowledgeable in what we do and is able to supply us with more funding for our trainings because he knows all of the explorers personally and he knows what we are capable of. Every fire chief should be actively involved in thier explorer post.

1st re-read what I posted, I'll make it easier for you and highlight the really important part.....

I know my Chief is way too busy to be dealing with one of my Explorers. As the Head Advisor, any issue needs to come to me through their Chain-of-Command. As far as discipline goes, it's my call based on the infraction. When discipline such as suspension, expulsion, or loss of priviledges are issued the Parents are always present that way if they have any questions, comments or concerns they can be addressed then. Just what has worked well for me.

Maybe my chief just understands the importance of it more than others do.

If your referring to my Chief here, my suggestion is to "check yourself....." As the Head Adviser, I would be embarrassed if I needed to take a disciplinary issue to my Chief. The exceptions here would be if there was a serious injury, an issue that is illegal or an issue where the Department could be held liable financially (think Law Suit here). Now, if we need to "pick his brain" then my Chief has always been there for Us.

Our chief values our explorers above most of the probies.

If I were a Probationary FF there, this comment would be dealt with "in house" through my Chain of Command. If that is truly how your Chief feels then that is what works for them, I say "if that's what works for ya, then cool....." If I'm a Probationary FF and my Chief says that, I'd be seriously disappointed and question my true value to my Department; then again maybe I'm silly to think this way.

I'm not gonna battle a youngster here, but be careful with some of your comments since you came here (a National/World-wide Forum) asking how other Explorer Posts deal with discipline. Have fun, stay safe and smile.....

[VincentEng2]

Are we really arguing over this stupid crap. God I would rather see a post about explorers carrying pagers and responding from school or straping warning lights to their bikes.

[yuanyelss]

I didn't hear from them and they didn't hear from me for the other 364 days per year. It's a mutual deattachment. My interaction with the BSA was once a year. I filled out the roster and faxed them paperwork......

[backsteprescue]

Suspend them from coming to meetings.

[Tooanfrom]

Punishment? Flogged with a cat 'o'nine tails--worked for Admiral Nelson

[sapper937]

Well ive been out of explorers for some time now i resigned at 18 in 2006 but when one of our explorers messed up to the point whrer "Punishment" was needed it was handled by the advisors outside of our alotted one night a week training whether it was a meeting with the advisors or a suspension from the program fitting the incident that the punishment was related to

[slackjawedyokel]

Like you say - depends on the size / type etc. To me , I would want the explorer "chief" to handle the small stuff - I would only want to be in on the serious offenses that require suspension and or expulsion. Hopefully their would be enough paper trail presented to me so I can base my decesion on the facts. That way it will take the heat off my officer because the final decesion will be on me.

[ChiefKN]

I have to chime in with Bones on this one - fern , that was a somewhat arrogant statement about understanding the "importance" -
Basic disicpline duties should never even reach the Chiefs desk. Severe cases yes - but if he is handling day to day explorer personel problems , he is not utilizing his chain of command. Just like on a fire - if the chief is focusing on a task , instead of strategy, he is short changing his men.

Again, this depends on the department.

In my department, the Chief is always directly involved in any "discipline" of a junior member. Because these are minors and some do not have a family member on the department, it was always felt that special care had to be used to deal with problems in that group.

It works for us and as Chief, I never had issue with it.

[slackjawedyokel]

I have to chime in with Bones on this one - fern , that was a somewhat arrogant statement about understanding the "importance" -
Basic disicpline duties should never even reach the Chiefs desk. Severe cases yes - but if he is handling day to day explorer personel problems , he is not utilizing his chain of command. Just like on a fire - if the chief is focusing on a task , instead of strategy, he is short changing his men.

[Bones42]

I understand, but my chief holds 2 full time jobs, is a single parent of 3, is a member on many commitees, and can still handle it. Maybe my chief just understands the importance of it more than others do.

Fern, I am a Chief in a small volunteer Department. I also have a full time job, 2 kids, and many committees. Not to mention coaching and township committees. And somewhere in between all of that...a home life.

We have an Explorer Program. There is an Explorer Advisor. That is who handles the "punishment".

And just realize I have 40 guys in my Department to oversee. Some Chief's have more stations than that to oversee. That is why I said be careful in your comparisons.

It does not mean "we" or "they" don't care.

[kjohn23]

when i punish my explorers, they run the tower in full bunker, then have to drag a hose line 100 feet

And just what are you teaching them by running in full bunker?????

[wheeler295]

Leave the "punishment" up to the program coordinator.

[ChiefKN]

Punishment is the wrong word.

Your actions as a leader should be to correct the behavior or if the violation is severe enough, just dismiss them.

I have put restrictions on a junior firefighter because of grades and once because they were simply being disrespectful at home (in consultation with the Jr's mother). The restriction was that they could no longer respond for calls or to be at the firehouse.

I would be very careful with juniors/explorers "punishing" each other and I would also avoid any sort of physical "punishment". Smells too much like hazing and god forbid someone gets hurt in the process.

As Chief, I had 100% responsibility over the Juniors. I made it clear to them my expectations and that in most cases, "discipline" would be that they turn in their equipment.

[Explorer Asst Chief Fern]

I understand, but my chief holds 2 full time jobs, is a single parent of 3, is a member on many commitees, and can still handle it. Maybe my chief just understands the importance of it more than others do.