Young Explorers Feel the Heat at Fire Training

"Feel the Burn" might be an appropriate mantra during a stiff physical workout, but it's not one you'd hear around a training session set up by the .

A dozen participants in the district’s Fire Explorers program, all aged 15 1/2 to 20, had the ultimate experience in controlled training sessions last weekend at Station 62 on Atherton Avenue.

Fire Explorer Jeremy Zeichner thanked organizers for the experience and said it solidified his direction for a career in the fire service. 

"I saw how firefighters as a whole work together, the teamwork, the camaraderie, the whole family experience," he said. "It was a great bonding experience that I will never forget.”

Veteran firefighters set up first-hand fire, heat, smoke and flashover conditions in controlled simulations, partly using a specially designed burn trailer, and gave instruction before, during and after the exercizes.

During a safety walk-through before the burn trailer drill, Explorers learned about the simulation system and safety mechanisms plus typical fire behavior, fire chemistry, nozzles and hose patterns.

"The hands-on training wasn’t about watching live fire, but actually in extreme heat and flames to be comfortable with the situation that most people just don’t want to be exposed to," Deputy Fire Chief Eric Nickel said in a release. "Fire Explorers were put to the test when they were asked to take their glove off in the burn trailer and raise their hand to feel the thermal layers.  This helped with the understanding of the varying degrees of temperatures in a realistic live fire and to better understand safety factors in fire conditions."

The Fire Explorer program is set up for young people who have an interest in learning more about fire and emergency medical services.  The district selects qualifying potential Explorers after an application and interview process, and those accepted to the program meet and drill twice a month.  All Explorers are equipped in personal protective equipment with breathing apparatus.

In addition to introductory fire service and emergency medical training, the Explorers develop leadership skills, learn the value of teamwork  and respect for authority, Nickel said.

 “It is such a rewarding experience to reach out to our young men and women of today to become our firefighters in the near future," said firefighter/paramedic Kim Lesik, an advisor to the Explorer program. "Our Fire Explorers are top-notch and we are fortunate to have such a valuable program for a career in the fire service.”

The Novato Fire Explorers are recruiting for future classes, and scholarships are available through the nonprofit Novato Fire Foundation. More information is available at novatofire.org.