Explorer Post Information

[Lt McNabb]

Hello everyone. My department used to have a junior firefighter program, but essentially dissolved due to a lack of interest (from both leadership and juniors), and the juniors we did have reached the age to become firefighters. I came into the fire service as an explorer when I was 13 years old, and remained one until my 18th birthday; therefore I know how beneficial a well ran explorer program can be to a department. A few months ago myself and another firefighter in my department were talking about volunteer recruitment and retention (primarily what can be done to help both); the first thing we thought of was starting an explorer post. The before mentioned thought turned into the two of us meeting with boyscout representatives the following week; with us beginning to write our program out the day after that. We have full support of admin in this project, which was the biggest fear we had. The primary problem we are running into now are the questions being asked by the higher-up's... I am aware of the insurance that is provided to advisers and explorers through the BSA, but I don't know the exact details of the insurance plan. Also, the primary worry of the department is do we need to add them onto the department's insurance? I have tried to find out exactly what the BSA's insurance plan covers, but I have had no luck; I have a call into the BSA to attempt to get more information on that. Can anyone help me with some information??? If at all possible I would like to gain some knowledge pertaining to the details of the insurance (supplied by BSA) (what does it cover, how much does it cover, etc...), if your department added the explorers to the department's insurance (if so, how much?), I will also take any rules and/or regulations, bylaws, outlines, mission statements (pretty much anything regarding an explorer program) for an explorer post/program. I have listed my email address at the bottom, thank you for any and all help you can offer!

Thank you,

Lt. Paul McNabb
Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire Department
[email protected]

[DeputyMarshal]

You should be able to get all the info you need here:

http://www.learningforlife.org/

[Lt McNabb]

Thank you for the website, it did help me or. If anyone else would like to offer some info about post(s) they are involved in it would be appreciated greatly! No information will be ignored, we need the help.

Thanks,
McNabb
[email protected]

[Retired911]

I have a similar question in a way. The department here had an explorer program and that too had been put on hold but for lack of help from firefighters. There is a new interim chief that I have contacted recently and he has asked me to assist with a Parent's Advisory Group but there is no group yet.
My question is does anyone have any information, SOP's, PDF's etc. that they would share with me?

[WildFireShane]

If you should come across this material please forward it along to me as well. I am considering getting a junior program running at my Department. Like many junior programs, the department had one years ago when the support was there, but it died off. Now we have on average 6-10 youths hanging around the station. Young, motivated, energetic youth that need that little direction and encouragement

[Retired911]

If you should come across this material please forward it along to me as well. I am considering getting a junior program running at my Department. Like many junior programs, the department had one years ago when the support was there, but it died off. Now we have on average 6-10 youths hanging around the station. Young, motivated, energetic youth that need that little direction and encouragement

Seems like no one will respond.. So sad and I could use some help.

[Explorer#1894]

So I'm a current fire explorer, and I'm not quite sure what kind of resources you're looking for, but Colorado Springs FD Explorer Post has a goals and guidelines handbook that they give out to each of the explorers.
An outline of the handbook: City Core Values, CSFD Vision Statement, Mission Statement, core values, strategic goals. Explorer post mission statement (to create a safe environment where youths can become involved in and benefit from exposure to fire and EMS services), training statement, vision statement. Chapters are exploring, leadership (within the explorer post [follows basic NIMS structure]), recruitment of explorers, codes of conduct (same as FD), uniforms/PPE, post activities (meetings, ride-alongs, station visits), training, ride-alongs, injuries, accidents, and property damage, communications.
Hope that is helpful as far as what kind of bases should be covered when setting up the structure.

[kvucinic]

I'm a former fire explorer, now fire intern for the same city. We've been planning an overhaul of the explorer post to make it rock solid and the idea of a guidelines handbook seems excellent. Something my post does that many in the area don't do is require you to become ride-along certified. This is mostly due to the fact that the department allows explorers age 18-21 to ride out for a full 24 hour shift while participating in many, some critical, operational tasks.

[Explorer#1894]

My post requires a week long Explorer Academy for ride-alongs to become ride approved. Also, the guidelines handbook is a great way to get everyone on the same page as far as rules go because it's in writing. The thing that has to happen to get a post rock solid, though, is that all of the rules need to be enforced and have consequences.

[kvucinic]

One of the ares that I feel isn't worked on as much with explorers is station etiquette. While things like hoses, ladders, and medical assessments are important, if they don't know how to act in the station or what their roll should be there throughout the day it's almost like they're a chicken running around with their head cut off. Working with them on the etiguette topic can help to ensure they have an enjoyable time on their ride along and help them to be accepted by other guys who may not always work with them at meetings. That's just my opinion about it.