Fire Explorer Post 456 was formed in 1988 to provide young men and women, ages 14 to 21 the opportunity to discover the rewarding careers available in firefighting and emergency medical services. The program is operated under the guidelines established by the Boy Scouts of America Explorer Program and all training and supervision is handled by certified firefighter/emergency medical technicians from the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District. Explorers meet twice a month to study and train in skills needed to prepare for a career in emergency services. The post also participates in activities such as, tours of medical facilities, overnight teamwork and leadership camps, and other social events with other Explorer Posts throughout the area.
After successfully attaining various levels of training, Explorers are allowed to provide support activities to District personnel during incidents. All these activities are closely supervised and performed in a safe non-life-threatening environment under guidelines established by the Boy Scouts of America Explorer Program. Support activities that the Explorers are currently performing include, completing radio reports for incidents, photographing and videotaping training and emergency scenes, assisting firefighters in changing air bottles from their self-contained breathing apparatus and refilling empty air tanks during emergency incidents, assisting in details around the fire stations allowing the opportunity to learn more about individual fire and ambulance apparatus and equipment. Visit out Photo Gallery to see pictures of our Explorers
Exploring is an exciting and rewarding method of learning about a career in the fire/emergency medical service. The Explorer Post offers the ability to get hired within the WLFPD at the age of 19 rather than 21. Many of the current members of the WLFPD were once explorers at some point! Anyone interested in learning more about Fire Explorer Post 456 is invited to attend a meeting. Please call the WLFPD Non-Emergency phone number for the date, time, and location of the next meeting.