Boys to Men: Murrieta Fire Explorer Program Shapes Youth

Who needs event staff when there are the Murrieta Fire Explorers?

The group of 50 explorers, who range between 14 and 21 years old, served as event hosts at the recent Murrieta Mud Run. drew 1,800 participants and at least 500 spectators, and while things weren't exactly smudge-free, they went smoothly thanks to the explorers.

The explorers volunteered their time to direct traffic and help the masses find their way around, according to Steve Rawlings, Murrieta Mud Run founder and event director. After the fun was had, they stuck around to help clean up.

"The young men that were out there were some of the finest young men I have ever met," Rawlings said when he publicly thanked them at a recent City Council meeting.

"They were polite, they were courteous and they were proactive," Rawlings said.

The Murrieta Fire Explorers can be found helping at other events throughout the year, such as at the Murrieta Birthday Bash and the Veterans Day Parade.

"We have these 48-50 young men (who) the city knows about and they volunteer their time," said Dean Hale, a Murrieta firefighter/paramedic.

The program is consistently maxed out at 50 members, Hale said. Those interested in joining must go through an application process, and sometimes they are asked to wait another year to join.

Most years, they are interviewed by the fire department. This gives them a chance to hone their professionalism, Hale said. This year that wasn't possible due to budget cuts, however.

Once in, where they learn the basics of firefighting and paramedics, on top of providing community service.

"It is kind of a unique thing for the community to have them," Hale said.

The group also competes in musters against other area explorer posts, during which they test their skills. Temecula and surrounding communities also have posts, Hale said.

There are expenses in becoming an explorer. The youth have to be outfitted with heavy-duty boots and dress slacks and shirts. Oftentimes, they hold fundraisers, such as a soda stand at the annual Murrieta Fire Department Barbecue, and put the proceeds toward the uniforms. No one goes without, Hale said.

So what does the future hold for explorers? At least four Murrieta firefighters were involved in explorers as youth, Murrieta fire Capt. Dave Perez among them.

"[Perez] is one of our biggest success stories. He was looking to get into trouble but by just getting involved in explorers, he turned his life around. That was 15 years ago."