 The Barnard Fire Explorer Post is a program offered through the cooperation of the Boy Scouts of America Learning for Life Exploring Program. Young adults ages 14 to 18 can be part of a program that stresses respect, discipline and organization and teaches the foundation of fire fighting and emergency medical service while having fun!
A little history on The Barnard Explorer Post 507; the post was started in 1969, and was officially the second such post in Monroe County. The original post consisted of 10 to 12 explorers, and was headed by two Barnard Firefighters, Edward Fenner, and Henry Koster. The post in its 41 year history has had many members who have on their 18th birthday joined the Barnard Fire Department. Many of these firefighters have gone on and have served the fire department as Chief or President of the fire department or in the case of one past member of the post he has been both.
The post over these 41 years has also had the honor of producing members who have taken their love of firefighting they learned in the Explorers and have turned this into a career. We have past members who are now career firefighters with the Barnard Fire District, Ridge Road Fire District, North Greece Fire District, The City of Rochester, and numerous organizations across the United States.
The purpose of the Explorer Post is to teach these young adults the basics of firefighting, emergency medicine, and running an organization. The post is modeled after the fire department which is based on a paramilitary organization. The Explorers elect their own officers each year who lead the post. These post line officers instruct the explorers on topics under the supervision of the post advisors. The post civil officers lead the post at their monthly meeting and organize the committees again under the direction of the post advisors.
The Explorers meet twice a month as a group. The first Tuesday of the month is their monthly meeting. At this meeting the Explorers discuss current issues, committee reports, President Reports and Chief Reports. If there is time they will conduct a small training topic. The second meeting is held the third Tuesday of the month which is their training meeting. During this meeting the Explorers will learn basic firefighting and emergency medical skills. These meeting start at 19:00 (7:00 PM) at the Barnard Fire Station at 3084 Dewey Avenue.
But training for the Explorers does not stop there. The Explorers also participate in the fire departments monthly drills once or twice a month also. This allows the explorers to actively interact and learn with the firefighters. The Explorers also can attend the fire departments monthly meeting where the will learn about parliamentary procedure and Roberts Rules of Order.
We bring in guest speakers also to talk to the Explorers about topics related to the program. The post also goes on field trips to other places which are topic related. Some past places we have gone to are: Greater Rochester International Airport Aircraft Rescue Fire Station, Rochester Fire Department Heavy Rescue 11 and RG&E for Live Wire Training.
We also have a unique program with our Explorer Post. Explorers who have completed a specific set of training classes are allowed to participate in a Ride-A-Long Program with our career firefighters on our first Engine. These Explorers are allowed to sign up for four hour blocks of time where they will be come part of the crew on duty. They will ride the first engine to actual calls for help and will use the skills they have learned to assist the firefighters on duty. These explorers also have the ability to respond up to the fire station and respond on other fire equipment if there is room for them to calls.
The explorers also assist and participate with the fire department in numerous other functions; they can march in other fire department parades; the will assist at our Annual Carnival where they go from riding the rides and eating to helping set up the fire departments booths and actually working in these booths (we do remind them they are stills kids and make them go out and have some fun on the rides!); and any number of other details the fire department has.
Barnard is also taking part in MCFEA (Monroe County Fire Explorers Association). There all the Monroe County Fire and EMS Explorers come together to talk about what each post is doing and what they as a whole want to do. These meetings allow the Explorers to gain friendships throughout the County which as past experience has shown us become lifelong friends who share your passion in the fire service.
Explorers can also earn credits toward their graduation. Some of our explorers have also used their time with Barnard toward their Participation in Government curriculum.
The Barnard Fire Explorer Post invites both young adults and their parents to come visit our program
With Exploring you can get credit for school, make lots of friends and have a great experience most kids don't get to have! If you have any questions or want more information E-mail us at explorer@barnardfire.org.
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