CAPE FIREFIGHTERS TO BEGIN EXPLORER POST

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department has something to offer the modern business world, which so often demands work-related experience of prospective employees.

The department is in the process of forming an Explorer post, and is looking for young men and women, ages 14-20, who think they might be interested in firefighting.

Exploring is a division of the Boy Scouts of America. It's purpose is to bring character building, citizenship training and a fitness program to the youth of America.

The men of the local fire department want to extend that opportunity to youths of Cape Girardeau.

"A lot of the guys in the department have kids who are involved in scouting," said Fire Capt. Mearlin Allen, one of the organizers of Explorer Post 911. "We asked (Fire Chief Robert L. Ridgeway) what he thought about us starting this post and then we brought it to the firefighters.

"A lot of guys came forward saying they wanted to help," Allen continued. "Now all we need is some kids who are interested in it."

Allen said his department drew the idea of starting a firefighting Explorer post from the Kennett Fire Department, which has had a successful post for many years.

Young men and women who join the organization will receive as much training as they desire in the various disciplines of firefighting.

"We might put them through the first-responders class, get them all CPR-certified, train them how to use the fire hoses and other equipment -- just about anything that's associated with the job of firefighting," said Allen.

One area in which Explorers will not be able to help is fire-suppression, for safety reasons, Allen said.

"That doesn't mean that if some of the Explorers are at the scene of a fire, they can't help," said Allen. "They will probably be able to help us with the fire hoses or something, but safety always will come first."

The post will offer area youth something schools and universities cannot. Although CPR classes and first-responders training is available at area vocational schools, no firefighting classes or otherwise related training is offered.

"The Explorer program really orients young people to a career," said Allen. "By joining this post, young people can find out about firefighting and decide whether or not they would like to work as a firefighter later on in life."

At first, members of the fire department will get the Explorer post going. But after a few months, Allen hopes the group will run itself, under the supervision of firefighters.

"The kids will be able to pick out their own uniforms, decide how often they want to meet and even what kinds of things they want to learn," Allen said.

Fire Explorer posts have been approved by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO, and the National Exploring Division.

Those wishing to join the post should call Fire Station No. 1 at 334-3211 or Fire Station No. 2 at 335-7491, for an application or for more information.