Fire Service Exploring
Encyclopedia
Fire Service Exploring is one of the career-oriented programs offered by Learning for Life
, a branch of the Boy Scouts of America
.
that introduces major aspects of the fire service to young adults ages 15-21, or in the nineth grade. Once enough training has been acquired, Explorers can be allowed on actual fire/medical calls under certain conditions such as, but not limited to:
Certain local, state, and federal laws as well as National BSA Regulations restrict the duties an Explorer can perform on a fire ground, a medical call, or motor vehicle accident.
A Post is typically run by the post officers, headed by an Explorer Captain, who is first Explorer in command and usually elected annually by the Post membership. In addition to the captain, there are one or more lieutenants who act as second and third in command. Besides the officers, other positions include secretary, engineer, treasurer and others. Also, a number of adult leaders, called "advisors", are required of every post. Advisors are above the captain in command and advise the officers and provide training and supervision for Post activities and events.
certification to as advanced as a first responder certification. Explorers may be trained with basic EMS, such as CPR, spinal immobilization, IV spike, and vitals.
Explorers do go on EMS calls when riding out with their crew, and offer EMS support.
As mentioned before, there are many limits as to what an Explorer can and cannot do. Tasks may vary depending on what the officer allows the explorer to do and the extent of the training the explorer has received.
Uniforms will almost always bear the insignia of Fire Exploring and/or the fire department they run out of. Class A uniforms can bear the American Flag shoulder badge, the official Fire Explorers badge , and sometimes the badge of the department they represent and various pins like name plates etc. The Class B uniform T-shirt will be a simple Explorers or fire department logo printed in the shirt. Turnout gear may or may not have much more than the name of the Explorer printed on the back on the jacket.
Learning for Life
Learning for Life is a United States school and work-site based youth program that is a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. It utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to...
, a branch of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
.
Description
Fire Service Exploring is a program offered by Learning for LifeLearning for Life
Learning for Life is a United States school and work-site based youth program that is a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. It utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to...
that introduces major aspects of the fire service to young adults ages 15-21, or in the nineth grade. Once enough training has been acquired, Explorers can be allowed on actual fire/medical calls under certain conditions such as, but not limited to:
- Explorers cannot enter a structure unless deemed stable and secure.
- Explorers man only enter a structure fire after the inital attack, and search.
Certain local, state, and federal laws as well as National BSA Regulations restrict the duties an Explorer can perform on a fire ground, a medical call, or motor vehicle accident.
Organization
The program is divided into numbered local groups called "Posts" which are sponsored and organized by a fire department in the area. This fire department provides some funding, materials, gear, and a place to meet and train.A Post is typically run by the post officers, headed by an Explorer Captain, who is first Explorer in command and usually elected annually by the Post membership. In addition to the captain, there are one or more lieutenants who act as second and third in command. Besides the officers, other positions include secretary, engineer, treasurer and others. Also, a number of adult leaders, called "advisors", are required of every post. Advisors are above the captain in command and advise the officers and provide training and supervision for Post activities and events.
Training/Duties
Fire Explorers are trained in tasks that can be performed to assist firefighters working on the fire ground or the site of a medical emergency. Those tasks range from dressing hydrants to filling air bottles.Medical Training
Some fire exploring posts offer medical training which can be as basic as a simple first aidFirst aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
certification to as advanced as a first responder certification. Explorers may be trained with basic EMS, such as CPR, spinal immobilization, IV spike, and vitals.
Explorers do go on EMS calls when riding out with their crew, and offer EMS support.
As mentioned before, there are many limits as to what an Explorer can and cannot do. Tasks may vary depending on what the officer allows the explorer to do and the extent of the training the explorer has received.
Uniforms and Insignia
Fire Explorers receive uniforms that identify the department that they're in and mentions that the individual is an Explorer. The types of uniforms are listed below.| Official Uniform Name | Description of Uniform | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Light blue/Black/Gray dress shirt, Dark blue dress pants, dress shoes | Public events such as parades, funerals, fairs, etc. |
| Class B | T-shirt/Polo shirt (duty shirt), pants | Station/Duty Wear |
| Turnout (Bunker) Gear Bunker gear Bunker Gear or "Turnout Gear" are terms used by many firefighters to refer to their system of outer protective clothing. "Bunker gear" and "turnout gear" can refer, depending on the context, to just the trousers and boots, and jacket, or the entire combination of personal protective equipment and... |
Bunker coat, bunker pants, bunker boots, hood, gloves, and helmet. | Field Wear |
Uniforms will almost always bear the insignia of Fire Exploring and/or the fire department they run out of. Class A uniforms can bear the American Flag shoulder badge, the official Fire Explorers badge , and sometimes the badge of the department they represent and various pins like name plates etc. The Class B uniform T-shirt will be a simple Explorers or fire department logo printed in the shirt. Turnout gear may or may not have much more than the name of the Explorer printed on the back on the jacket.
Media depiction
- In the television series, Code RedCode Red (TV series)Code Red is an American television series that ran from 1981 to 1982 on ABC and was produced by Irwin Allen. This was Allen's sixth and final television series....
, the child character, Danny Blake, is a Fire Explorer who enjoys unusually privileged access to Fire Department activities due to his father being a Battalion Fire ChiefFire chiefFire Chief is a top executive rank or commanding officer in a fire department, either elected or appointed...
.
See also
- Law Enforcement ExploringLaw Enforcement ExploringLaw Enforcement Exploring also known as Police Explorers is a career-oriented program that gives young adults the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement by working with local law enforcement agencies. Founded on July 12, 1973, it is one of the Exploring programs from Learning for Life,...
- Explorer Search and RescueExplorer Search and RescueExplorer Search and Rescue are teams of Explorers in the Learning for Life program of the Boy Scouts of America who are trained and deployed for search and rescue missions. Well-developed ESAR programs emerged in the state of Washington in the mid 1950s and were followed by others in California...
- ExploringExploring (Learning for Life)Exploring is a worksite-based program of Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America, for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years old...
- Learning for LifeLearning for LifeLearning for Life is a United States school and work-site based youth program that is a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. It utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to...
- Junior firefighterJunior firefighterJunior firefighting is a youth activity mostly organized by fire departments. It serves as a means of personal development for the youths, as well as a recruiting pool for the fire departments....
(typically outside of United States)