The San Bernardino Fire Protection District hasn’t held its annual youth Fire Explorers program for the last two years. The pandemic and a rapidly expanding fire season put a hold on the program, which lets area youths train and work alongside firefighters and other emergency first responders. Battalion Chief Mike Mclintlock says this year they are looking to bring the program back full-force for a Summer / Fall schedule.
McClintlock got his start as a fire explorer when he was a teenager, and he says that the county’s unique landscape gives trainees a well-rounded view of what it takes to be a first responder here in the Morongo Basin. Ambulance ride-alongs, urban search and rescue and haz-mat training are part of the training, and these skills can apply to much more than firefighting. Mclintlock says that in past years participants have used the skills to move into police, military and medical careers. Most importantly, McClintock said, it can teach kids to become better citizens, neighbors, and humans. If you know someone between the ages of 14 and 20 who may be interested in the free Fire Explorers program – they must hold a GPA of at least 2.5 and be able to participate in biweekly training.
For more information, go to http://SBCFIRE.org
