Looking to start an Explorer program

[medstudent30]

In my area in a small city in Ohio, the Explorer program is ran through our local hospital. Just a thought

[EMTMommy]

Hey all out there in EMT City land. I am from a small town in Nebraska and of course being from a small town what are we always worried about recruiting. We are trying to look into starting what you would call an Explorer program. This would give those people out there that are of high school age or until 21 stated by our department the opportunity to experience what it is like being an EMT or a firefighter. My question to all of you out there is... does anyone have a program like this already started in your area and if so how or who can I get in contact with to see how they set it up and what the guidelines are with your departments.

Thanks!

Rachelk64

Hi, I've been involved with our Youth Squad since the early 1990's and both of my kids grew up through it and joined our Senior Corps. In the 90's, the youth Squad was rejuvenated with the BSA Explorer program but conflicts with the policies made us reconsider our affiliation; we dropped the BSA link and now offer a straight "Cadet Squad" program for kids 14-18 (up to their 19th birthday is allowed)- we do NOT permit Dual Membership in Youth & Senior Corps. My suggestion is to contact your local BSA council and meet with them and the administrators of your ambulance squad to make sure the programs are compatible. I know of several corps who have left the BSA affiliation for similar reasons, yet other corps have found it a perfect fit. Communication is essential in deciding which program is best for you; contact other corps within your council to find if they are satisfied with the program. The biggest concerns beyond compatible policies was insurance and programming. Good luck.

[Defiant1]

hi, my name is scott, i see that you would like to start an explorer post in your town, i don't know much about actually starting one, but i am a level 3 explorer in my home town's explorer post that is sponsered by our rescue squad (so naturally, we decided on having our explorer post number be 911), however, i may be able to get some of the information you need from one of my post advisors, if i do i'll send the information to you right away.

[AnthonyM83]

You could try contacting the Palo Alto Fire Department in Palo Alto, CA.

They had a GREAT program. Top of the line explorers. Very knowledgeable and driven. They started out as a First Aid/CPR/Disaster Response club in high school. They got publicity when someone put a cherry bomb in a water fountain or somethiing. Made a big explosion and they came to the rescue. I always wanted to join, but didn't have time.

They recently were in the paper for sexual misconduct, though, so might not be active, but they could probably still give you good suggestions.

Dustdevil brings up a good point. Sexual misconduct is pretty much guaranteed to happen unless you guys are hyperparanoid about it. I know a lot of officer and explorers who have had inappropriate things going on and am now jaded. It's going to happen anywhere and it doesn't matter how "good" a people the advisors are.

I think it's a worthwhile program is properly regulated, though. Your local boy scout council will probably have an explorer rep that can help you start one up.

Trench, what's a level 3 explorer? I think that's just a local designation....

[ERDoc]

The VAC I used to ride for had to levels for those under 18, youths and students. From 13-15 we had a youth program. People in this program attended the student/youth trainigs and meetings and also the adult trainings. They were not allowed to ride the ambulance. For those under 18, we had a student program that was the same as the youth program, opnly you were allowed to ride the ambulance. Many of the students became Certified First Responders (in NYS) free of charge. They were also allowed to participate in all outside activities such as parades, christmas parties, installation dinners, etc. It was a great experience and provided many experienced adult memebers.

[Guest]

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[Guest]

But man... it seems that you can't hardly open the newspaper anymore without reading about sexual misconduct between fire/police/EMS officials and the Explorers entrusted to them.

=D>

I support the fact that explorers want to get involved, but you DO have to keep this in mind!! My sister joined when she was 16 and had a FF trying to date her!!!! C'mon on show some professionalism with it!!

[EMT-B 55]

Contact your local BSA District Executive. He/She may have already did the ground work, such as interest surveys in the high schools and colleges in the area. to Establish an Explorer Post you will need at least two adults over 21 to sign on as advisors (one of each sex) then have a committee of five and at least five Explores. Starting is not that hard - recruiting is hard though. I was involved in an aviation Post for three years. once the initial group went their own ways it was hard recruiting.

Good Luck

EMT-B 55

[GAmedic1506]

I would be very careful about the planning that goes into this. The person who is running this program has to be beyond reproach; any allegation (true or false) about sexual impropriety (consentual or forced/coeerced) and teens will ruin your service's reputation forever. It's sad to have to think this way, but you have to. For instance: Will they be allowed in the station at night, if so, with who -- what if the guys want to watch soft-porn on a cable station while they are there ? What happens when one of the 17 year old explorers flirts with one of your 20 year old rookies ? What happens when the explorers show up at your station in non-professional dress ? What will be your disciplinary process for bad explorers ?

What happens when your terminate a poor-performing explorer, and then they threaten you with sex allegations (this happens with teachers all of the time) ? Will you have an orientation for them to explain HIPPA and confidentiallity (what do you do when they violate it) ?

And then you have to ask yourself if it is worth that chance. It is admirable to try to get more people in the profession, but maybe there is another way to accomplish it. Then you may have insurance requirements that would not let you hire an 18-21 year old anyways, so recruiting them doesnt help you (most have moved to a minimum age of 23).

I am in no way saying it is a bad idea, just saying Proceed With Caution.

[EMTBgirl]

In my town, we have an explorers crew that call themselves Adventurers. They go through Boy Scouts of America. They are not as medically focused as the explorer program that I attended in Fargo, ND. They are more into wilderness stuff and that kind of thing. They have their basic CPR certification but not much more than that.