Youth in the area interesting in a career as a first responder will be able to get free training this summer. The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District’s Fire Explorers program is returning to the Morongo Basin after a two-year hiatus. The program is aimed at area youth looking to gain first-hand experience at what it physically and mentally takes to train as a firefighter. Battalion Chief Mike McClintock says the pandemic limited the county’s ability to offer the program the last two years, and this year they are gauging interest in the program up for the summer / fall season.
Participants will gain a wide range of skills that extend beyond firefighting. Proximity to hospitals and Joshua Tree National Park allow trainees to participate in ambulance ride-alongs, search and rescue operations, and haz-mat training.
Youth looking to participate must be between the ages of 14 and 20; maintain a GPA of at least 2.5; be willing to participate in biweekly drills and assist firefighters during emergency incidents.
For more information go to SBCFORE.org
