Oakdale Fire Explorers Get a Real Look at Life as a Firefighter

Teens and young adults interested in becoming emergency medical technicians or firefighters have the chance to get a taste of the jobs through the Oakdale Fire Department Explorers Program.

The Oakdale Fire Department held an informational meeting on Sunday evening at Fire Station No. 1, in hopes of recruiting new Fire Explorers.

A number of the explorers have gone on to work for the Oakdale Fire Department said Capt. Joe Carpentier.

Nick Rieken, who participated in the Explorers program when he was ages 15-19, has been a full time employee of the Oakdale Fire Department for 13 years. 

“My favorite part about the Explorers was being a part of the competitions, they were a lot of fun,” Rieken said.  “It was a good experience for me before I became a part of the department.”

Rieken said his favorite part about his job is knowing that he is helping people each day. 

“We do a lot of good,” he said. 

The Oakdale Fire Department is a part of the Northern Star Exploring Program, a career exploration program that serves 21 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. 

Oakdale’s Fire Explorers program, which has been around since 1995, currently has five members and meets twice a month to conduct various training. The training consists of a variety of topics about fire fighting and emergency medical services, including cardiac arrest management, ladder rise, spinal immobilization and room search and rescue. 

They also participate in training with the Oakdale Fire Department to learn the fundamental skills needed to be a firefighter and emergency medical technician.

The largest part of the Explorers program is the annual competition at the State Fair for the Governor’s Fire Prevention Day. The Explorers train year round in preparation for the event, which will take place on Aug. 26 this year. 

“There are 15 different departments that compete from around the metro area, Oakdale usually makes it in the top five,” Carpentier said.

Carpentier said the program is fairly cheap to operate and the department will occasionally donate money to the Explorers if they are adamant and show a great interest in the program. 

The Explorers also participate in fundraising to cover the cost of their training, going door-to-door selling Christmas wreaths in October. 

After the meeting, a prospective new Explorer and his father inquired about the safety of the program. 

“We all undergo Explorer Youth Protection Training before we become instructors in the program,” Carpentier said.  “Safety is our No. 1 priority, for our jobs, the department and our Explorers.”

Among the current Explorers in attendance on Sunday were Eric Mensah, Anna Ratajczak and Jake Jensen.  Ratajczak, 20, has been an Explorer for four years and has recently returned to the program after finishing her emergency medical technician training at Lake Superior College.

Mensah, 17, has been in the program for two years and is currently preparing himself for the emergency medical technician test. He is also in the interview process with the Roseville Fire Department. 

“I love this program, I have learned so much through my training,” Mensah said. 

All three Explorers agreed that the training they are receiving through the program is giving them valuable experience in preparation for their careers.