Fire Explorers
The City of Redlands Fire Department Explorer Post 261 was established in 2000. The Fire Explorers program offers youths between 15 and 21 years of age the opportunity to learn about the fire service.
Active Members of our post participate in group physical fitness, receive classroom and hands on training, and are involved in community events and projects. Fire Explorer participants will learn firefighting skills, hose lays, ladders, basic first aid and patient care, wildland firefighting, vehicle extrication, and the use of firefighting tools and equipment.
Each Explorer will have the opportunity to Ride Along and apply the skills they have learned and gained valuable experience. When Explorers ride along, they work side by side with firefighters and respond to actual emergency calls and participate in any training or community projects that occur during the shift.
When Do We Meet?
The explorers will meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month (with exceptions) from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at one of the four Redlands Fire Department Stations.
Requirements
To be eligible for our Explorer Program. Applicants must meet and maintain the following requirements:
- Academic Performance: A minimum 2.5 GPA is required and will be reviewed twice a year to ensure continued eligibility.
- Application: Applicants must correctly complete and submit the required application. (If any required documents are missing from your application, it will significantly reduce your chances of being chosen).
- Interview & testing: Candidates must successfully pass an oral interview and physical agility test to demonstrate their readiness for the program. (Performance in both agility test and oral interview will be considered when choosing candidates).
- Meeting Attendance: Explorers are expected to attend all biweekly meetings. A maximum of three (3) unexcused absences per year is allowed.
- Ride-Along Requirements: Participants must complete a minimum of one (1) 10 hr Rideout per month to gain hands-on experience.
Explorer Recruitment Test Information
Our Explorer Program recruitment process includes both an oral interview and a physical agility test, which will be conducted on the same day in February. Applicants will receive an email in early February with the exact date, time, and location using the email address provided on their application.
We maintain a maximum of 35 explorers at a time. This means that the number of new cadets we hire is dependent on the current number of active explorers in the program at the time of recruitment.
Meeting these requirements is obligatory for consideration in the program.
Sample Interview Questions: (Total of 5 questions)
- Why do you want to be a Redlands Fire Explorer?
- As an Explorer it is imperative that you are honest, responsible, and have integrity. Give an example when you have displayed one of these qualities.
Agility Test
To prepare for the physical test it is best to include cardio and strength training exercises such as running, push-ups, and circuit training.
Agility test consists of:
- Pull 100ft of 2 ½ in hose until full extended. Then hand over hand it until last coupling passes the cone. Repeat once going the other way.
- Dummy drag 15ft around a cone and back.
- Keiser Sled
- Farmers Carry
- 20 Push Ups
How to Apply
Step 1:
- Click here to open the application. Print it out, complete it, and submit it in person by January 15th to the Redlands Fire Department Administration Office at: Fire Admin, 35 Cajon Street, Suite #12, Redlands, CA 92373.
- Fire Admin is right next to City Hall, in the Civic Center, on the corner of Orange & Citrus. You may turn it in Mon-Thurs 7:30 am- 5:30 pm. Click here to open an image of the location.
- An interest list will be created from completed applications.
- Applications are received continuously throughout the year. New perspective explorers will be brought on in February each year.
Step 2:
- Qualified applicants will receive a letter with an invitation for a physical agility test and an oral interview. Each portion of the test will be conducted by Redlands Fire Department personnel and members of the Explorer Post.
Step 3:
- Successful candidates will be invited to join Redlands Fire Explorer Post 261! Good Luck!
Who to Contact
- Firefighter/Paramedic, Jovan Fierro at jfierro@confire.org
- Senior Administrative Assistant, Kristina Rivas at krivas@cityofredlands.org
To Future Explorers:
The City of Redlands Fire Department would like to welcome you. We hope that you will be successful in becoming a member of our program.
As an Explorer, you will be required to make many commitments. There are many hours of training required to maintain your active status within the program. You will need to consistently maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average at school and must be in good standing within the community. There are also some financial requirements that you will need to consider.
Please click here to find the on-line Explorer Application, the City of Redlands Waiver, and a list of expenditures that you will incur once you have become an Explorer. We ask that you and your parents read over these papers together, complete them, and submit them in person to the Fire Administration office.
Although it may seem there are many requirements placed upon you, we believe that you will find our program very enjoyable and rewarding. We hope to see you in the future and will you the best of luck in becoming a City of Redlands Fire Explorer.
Sincerely,
Captain Matthew Swenson
Explorer Advisor
Share this page
