Explorers
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Explorer Post 2870
Overview
The Apopka Fire Department is proud to be one of the few Fire Departments in Central Florida to have a program dedicated to our youth. The Explorer Program was created in 1983 to provide high school students with the experience of firefighting as a profession. Our goal is to take students who have an interest in firefighting as a career and train them on all aspects of the job to hopefully join us as career firefighters. We currently have many full-time and volunteer firefighters who began their careers as Explorers.
Meetings
The Explorer Program follows the Orange County Public School calendar. Meetings are every Tuesday night throughout the school year taking breaks during scheduled holidays. The meetings run from 7:00-9:00 PM and are held at the Leroy F. Gilliam Training Center located at 321 E. Cleveland St. During the meetings the Explorers train in all aspects of the job including: EMS, search and rescue, vehicle extrication, confined space rescue, rappelling, Tower Operations, HAZMAT, and deploying/advancing hoselines. All Explorers will become certified in CPR.
Ride-Alongs
Upon completion of their first year, the Explorer can participate in our ride-along program. This is when the Explorer gets to really see what the life of a firefighter is all about. The Explorer can spend a shift at the firehouse, from the hours of 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM, and ride with our District Chiefs to actual Emergency calls.
Requirements
To become a Fire Explorer with the Apopka Fire Dept. you must:
1. Be between the ages of 14-20
2. Be in High School or show proof of graduation
3. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or greater
4. Have no medical/physical restrictions
5. Have an interest in firefighting as a career
Anyone can apply to the program however preference is given to residents of Apopka.
How to Apply
If interested, please click HERE for the application and print it out. Complete the application and turn it in along with the following:
1. Most recent report card or diploma,
2. Most recent physical (within the last year)
Applications can be submitted to the Fire Administration Office located on S. Forest Ave. across from Dunkin Donuts. Hours of operation are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Upon acceptance into the Explorer Program you will receive a uniform t-shirt and hat. You must provide your own pants, black or dark blue and black boots or shoes.
For further information please contact Lieutenant Richard Hayden at
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or call 407-703-1756.
