New insights on life in Conifer - the view from the top
A year ago I had no idea this program existed …and now my 16 year old son,Nick,is in it. The Explorer program provides high school kids with quality training in safety,first aid,and basic firefighting skills. Amazingly enough,after reaching a certain level in the training,these kids ride along on emergency calls and assist in appropriate support functions. The cost is minimal,but the training they receive is serious. The firefighters delivering this training know very well that they are laying the foundation for the required professionalism and teamwork.
Here in Conifer,we recently acquired a new Fire Chief,Bill McLaughlin. About 35 years ago,Bill was an Explorer while he was in high school in Oregon. As it turns out,many Explorers become firefighters –some career firefighters and some volunteer.
Conifer,CO - Elk Creek Fire District Station 1
The meetings are held at Elk Creek Fire Station 1 on Richmond Hill. Nick and his buddy,Liam,had their first meeting last Saturday and learned to tie knots. They had a blast.
In the orientation meeting the prior week,firefighters took the group to the scene of the North Fork Fire. They were taken to the spots where 3 people died and given the background on how and why these people were trapped. A couple died because they tried to get their fire protection sprinkler system working in order to save their house;had they evacuated immediately they would have lived.
The Explorer program is not just for firefighters. There are also chapters for paramedics,emergency technicians,ambulance corps,search &rescue,and forest fire fighters. You can read more about the program at exploring.learningforlife.org/services/career-exploring/fire-service/
