Alternative duties for explorers.

Because as an explorer I cannot perform extrication or internally fight structure fires. Would it be a good idea to excell my training in maybe HAZMAT, medical response, rope rescue, etc.? That way even though I might be a weakness in some situations, I could also be a strength in others. I thought of this because I enjoy learning as much as I can when it comes to the fire service and I think becoming a more valuable asset to the department would be a great idea. Any input on this would be great.

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Permalink Reply by Scotty V on July 8, 2010 at 12:00am

Also Matt, try studying fire prevention methods and detection systems, cause as you may know fires are down but prevention and detection systems are up

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Permalink Reply by Tony P on July 8, 2010 at 2:25am

Another thing, try to remember, you are not a firefighter. With people who know posting so many times in this thread that performing firefighter duties may be illegal under Federal law, why is the FD that you are associated with allowing it?

If you are an explorer, does that not mean you aren't even a member of the FD? That you are a member of the Scout movement in the USA? I could easily be wrong on that point, but I'm sure it's how the Explorer thing has been explained on this site. We don't have 'Explorers' and Juniors aren't firefighters and are not allowed to respond to incidents.

Something else I'll mention. Something that senior instructors tend to hate is when a person comes on a course and says that they know it, that they did all the training as a junior. Not a good idea in our Armed Forces; not a good idea in my FRS. I see no reason why that same thinking wouldn't apply in the USA as well.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on July 8, 2010 at 6:30am

No Eric....you can't (or shouldn't) Overhaul requires airpacks (or it should) I am actually glad that we don't have a program affliated with our Department...in fact no-one up here does that I know of....

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on July 8, 2010 at 6:32am

I will use my 1st Chiefs favorite saying once again....."Son, you ain't gotta like it, you just gotta do it." Well this pretty much sums it up....This is the way it is, live with it...your time will come......

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on July 8, 2010 at 7:10am

1. What is the point of having an explorer/jr. program if a. they cannot respond/ just observe, honestly whats the point of issuing gear to them?

There is much to be learned by observing, seeing the big picture, and not being utilized. What is the point of a chief officer or pump/aerial operator wearing gear if they are not going in? If you are on the fireground, even observing, that is why you have gear, you also have gear when TRAINING at a meeting/drill.

2. What is the point of having them train constantly for 2-4 years and then the explorer(s) possibly will leave for school.

Such programs, like Explorers, were never designed to be a training program for the FD, but to give kids a taste of the job to see if it is something THEY may want to pursue. I've seen many former explorers go on to school, military, etc and come back later to be FF's. Also answers question #3.

4. Yes, I understand about liability, but if an explorer can't run, can't really do hands on drills then what are you supposed to do with them? make them study for 4 years?

No one says you can't do hands on drill, nor even respond with crews, you just are NOT to be utilized as a FF in any way, shape, or form. The rules are pretty clear with Learning for Life, there are just too many stupid adults who think it is OK to let the kids do stuff on the fireground, becasue they are either too ignorant or too lacksidasical to care.

5. As you may know many firefighters don't like packing hose, and you prob would like those extra hands around to help pack hose, also about hydrant hitting why don't you think a 16-17 can't do it?

Because the rules state otherwise. Are you then encouraging a disrespect for rules??? Yep, just they type of person I want on a FD.

6. If I was only to do the things you stated, stand there and stare blankly at a fire or a training exercise or just be put in a room and constantly be thrown books and to study off of them i would be one bored person and probably quit.

Then quit, nothing is stopping you. The rules spell out what can and can't be done, there is absolutely NO reason for a kid to be used on the fireground. As for training, there is much they can do with hand's on, but there are some limitations. IE they can't climb an aerial, can not drive apparatus (of any kind), PPE must be worn, etc.