The Twentynine Palms local fire department hosts a Fire Explorer program for anyone who is 14 to 21 years of age and has completed the eighth grade. The Twentynine Palms Fire Explorers is a great way to get involved with the community, learn leadership and career skills, stay active and have fun. Fire explorers earn the chance to go to an annual fire academy hosted by the Inland Empire Fire Explorer Association, where you get to go through actual fire situations and fight controlled fires. Explorers train to perform all types of rescues such as auto extrications; rope, swift water, and confined space rescues; medical emergencies and helicopter operations. Once an explorer has completed a check-off list, they have the opportunity to work a partial shift, ride along with the firefighters and participate in real emergencies on the fire rigs. If this sounds interesting to you or a young person you know, the fire department is looking for more fire explorers right now. Meetings are bi-weekly on Monday and Saturday at Station #421 at 6560 Adobe Road, right next to Denny’s. To get in contact with the station, please call 760-367-7524 and ask about the Fire Explorer program.
