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Define what explorers job responsibilities are, and which State you live in
I need a better understanding as to what Explorers are and what their job functions are on the fire ground? When I joined the firehouse at 17, (back in the dark ages), the requirements were that you must be 16, You could ride the trucks, but you could not go inside a structure under fire, nor could you operate hydraulic tools (hurst), could not operate the main of the ladder truck, plus a couple of other things in compliance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Child Labor Laws. OK so I know what a junior FF is but this explorer program I am lacking knowledge to properly comment on some of these topics on this site.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jessica Travis on
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some explorers posts are through the boy scouts of america, and there basically the same as junior ff. around here (Bagdad, Kentucky) you just have to be 14-21, not allowed to ride the trucks, can only respond to structure fires between 4 pm and 9 pm on school nights and 24 hours on weekends. We can operate the pumps, direct traffic, change scba bottle and other support roles. we are not allowed to go inside the structure though.
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Permalink Reply by rfdjumper on
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When I joined the fire company at 17 I was voted in and have been a member since. So my question is technically are explorers members of a fire company?
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Thank god someobody finally asked the difference between JUNIORS and EXPLORERS. As the FFN has become most recently the Junior FFN website.... So are these juniors just what the local fire department calls kids who they allow to hang at the department?
Are they members of the FD, covered by the FD, and governed by FD rules?
HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WE HAVE MINORS THAT ARE ORGANIZED UNDER THE "BSA" AS AN EXPLORER POST.
Age Range 14-18 years old.
Explorers are governed under the by-laws of the BSA - Boy Scouts of America.
THEY ARE NOT MEMBERS OF OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT LIABILITY.
THEY ARE NOT OUTFITTED WITH ANY FD GEAR OR EQUIPMENT.
THEIR MISSION - It is a learning environment or social group.
THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO THE FIREGROUND IN MY ORGANIZATION.
THEY DON'T PACK UP, WEAR AN SCBA AT A FIRE OR ACT AS A REGULAR ACTIVE FULLY TRAINED MEMBER.
Actually, under the governing by-laws they are NOT allowed to do anything at an active emergency scene.
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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Interesting, I had thought the Juniors and Explorers were pretty much the same thing, just dependant on what FD they were members of! So are no Explorers members of FD's? I think it would be easier to say "join the Juniors or be a Firefighter, depending on age". The only way members of the Scouting Movement (as it's called here) come to our Station is as visitors. Much easier, and keeps liability more straightforward. But of course, different countries different customs.
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Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on
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We started a Cadet program which is kind of the same thing you'e all talking about. They can join when their 12. Must have parents permission. They get gear but red helmets and only one can ride an engine and must stay with the driver. They have inservice fire school and must keep a c average. We also offer tutoring if they need it. At age 16 they get a black helmet but can't do interior work until they have basic at the state fire school.
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Permalink Reply by Randy on
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I started as a JUNIOR FF. Our responsibilitys were the same as the firefighter's
Except: We had to give our seat up to ride to the scene for a carded member.
We could not enter a structure until an officer had deemed the fire out and stable with clean air
We could not run "The Jaws Of Life".
We were assigned Pagers, we could leave school only if there was a working incident...teacher approval.
We had 3/4 boots, coat, and helment. NO bunker pants ( keep us outside, and they were really old).
We could not have a light or warning device in our vehicle, if caught immediate dissmisal.
Now I am on a Department with EXPLORER'S.
They can not respond to auto accident's or medic assist. calls.
They are associated with the Boy Scouts of America
They have seperate meeting's and can only participate on training, no Department Buisness.
They have certain requirement's to meet yearly.
They can not enter a structure after there has been an incident.
They have turnout gear but with diffrent color helment's and gear. (yellow)
IMO rather be a Junior than explorer. These are the few differences that I could think of.
From Southeastern OHIO.
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As I said in my earlier post - different countries, different customs. We all tend to think that our own ways are better, and I'm no different. There is no such thing as 'Explorers" here, you're a Junior or you're a Firefighter. If you're a Junior (aged between 12 and 16) then you do some limited training, but you don't go to calls, you don't go on the fireground - you are not a firefighter.
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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on
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In my dept juniors get gear but must wear an orange helmet and can start at 14. They cant go in a structure or on ems calls but can take part in most fireground activities aslong as they are with a level three firefighter.
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