Boring Fire Explorer Post #459 offers an opportunity for young people to experience first-hand the world of fire and emergency services. In our weekly meetings, we have classes and drills that closely parallel the training the firefighter recruits undergo. After having successfully met certain qualifications, Explorers are allowed sign-up to work shifts with the career staff, helping with station and apparatus maintenance as well as responding on calls. The Post is occasionally activated as a group to assist the Fire District with a large or extended operation. Several times a year there are opportunities for the Explorers to participate in public education at local grade schools. They can also assist in public service projects or community events such as distributing food and gift baskets at Christmas.

New Explorers are recruited each fall when we have our ‘First-Nighter’. This is an introduction to the program for potential participants and their parents. After a 3-month recruit period, they are issued turnout gear and they can participate more in the hands-on training. As they progress through the program, more opportunities for involvement are made available. Come summer, we back off on the classes and take field trips to fire service related locations, such as 911 dispatch centers, airport fire stations, fire boats, etc.

After their first year in the post, Explorers have the opportunity to assist in teaching Explorer classes, developing leadership skills as officers or furthering their education in fire or medical classes.