The spark to 'explore' a career in firefighting

Warwick Beacon ·

Like the mythical Phoenix that rose from the ashes, Warwick firefighters have revived a Fire Explorers Post with 16 youths who will meet three times a month to learn about firefighting and prepare for a career in fire service.

Fire Explorer Post 2748, the only Fire Explorers post in the state, held an organizational meeting Monday in the emergency operations center of Station 1 under the direction of Firefighter Corey White. White, Lt. Rob Cembor and Capt. Marc Savaria is the core to a group of volunteers who have offered their time and expertise to work with the cadets.

“He took the lead with it,” Chief James McLaughlin said of White. McLaughlin said reviving an Explorers Post is on his “bucket list” of initiatives he aims to achieve as chief. The former post disbanded on Nov. 1, 1979.

Explorers is a Boy Scouts of America program. Warwick Police have long had an Explorers Post and cadets, boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 20, assist at functions and accompany police.

Mark Arnold of the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts explained that, unlike Boy Scouts where scouts progress through ranks by earning badges, the fire cadets would basically follow the same program from year to year with an emphasis on learning about fire service and gaining leadership skills. Arnold is hopeful of four to five more Fire Explorer Posts in the state.

White said as a student at Hendricken he was interested in a career in the fire department but there wasn’t anything like an Explorers program, so when he read the chief’s email suggesting a program last spring he responded. He’s not alone.

“It’s definitely a group effort,” said White.

He estimated about 15 department members will have roles in the program.

White makes the analogy to an academy, with this being the first class. He expects to hold a graduation ceremony in July and, after review of applications, form a new class for next year.

The first of the Post’s activities will be held Saturday starting at 8 a.m. at the Vets playing fields where cadets will undergo a “PT evaluation.” He said there would be a parade detail and the session would run to noon.

The Warwick post is funded by the Fire Department, Firefighters Union Local 2748 and the Police and Firefighter Insurance Association. Explorers pay $40 that covers application fees and includes a t-shirt and uniform shirt.

The fresh cadets, the majority from Warwick but with representation from across the state, were given an overview of the department and heard from department personnel and Arnold. White said the Explorers would be educated and trained in fire department history and tradition. They will learn about fire suppression operations, emergency medical services, CPR, hazardous material mitigation and technical rescue, which includes vehicle extrication, in addition to other relevant disciplines according to White.

The post will meet two Wednesday nights and for one Saturday a month from October to July at either the department’s newest station in Potowomut, which has a large community room, or Station 8 next to Ann & Hope where the cadets will get to use training facilities.

The Explorers were reminded that “school comes first,” and that their involvement with the post should not deter from the classroom. Arnold said there would be an awards ceremony where individual achievements would be recognized.

White told Explorers the training and experience they will get will help set them on a career path.

“Not only will you land the job, but you will be good at the job,” he said.

Those interested in applying for the second class that would start in October of next year, or who have questions about the program should contact the Fire Department, White said.