CROMWELL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXPLORER POST 46 Explorer Orientation Created May 2005

Purpose To teach incoming explorers Department’s By-Laws and SOP’s Explorers By-Laws and SOP’s Explorer roles on Emergency scene To show them what explorers do and to give them a preview of Explorer training and drills

Explorer By-Laws Explorers are bound there own separate rules and regulations just like regular department members Explorer By-laws are developed by a combination of BSA regulations and department rules and regulations

By-Laws Article 2 - New members will undergo a 3 month probationary period - During this period, Explorers will not be allowed to respond on Department Apparatus on Emergency calls. - After this period Explorers will be allowed to ride on Fire Apparatus for emergency calls.

Article 3 Explorers are allowed to respond to all calls except for the Haz-Mat’s and Mutual aid calls * Explorers, when riding Fire Apparatus, are not required to get off the truck unless told to do so. If they do , they may face suspension. Explorers may not go to the scene unless they are with a full department member. Transportation to and from the fire house is the responsibility of the Explorer, not the department.

Article 4 Explorers curfew’s: Section 1a: Curfew: Hours of response are as follows for Sr. Explorer’s (16 & 17 year olds): Monday - Thursday: 2:30 PM to 10:00 PM Friday & Saturday: 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Sunday: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM Summer vacation and school break: 6:00 AM to 11:00PM Explorers will be able to remain on scene until 12:00 AM midnight. At that time, arrangements will be made for transportation home. Explorer will not be allowed on District property after curfew hours. Section 1b: Curfew: Hours of response are as follows for Explorer’s (15 year olds): Monday - Thursday: 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM Friday & Saturday: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM Summer vacation and school break: 6:00 AM to 7:00PM Explorers will be able to remain on scene or drills until 10:00 PM. At that time, arrangements will be made for transportation home. Explorer will not be allowed on District property after curfew hours. Section 1c: Curfew Hours of response are as follows for Jr. Explorer’s (14 year olds): Any Explorer under the age of 15 will not be able to respond to any fire or EMS calls. Any Explorer under 15 can respond to the firehouse and assist with support functions.

Article 4 Continued Explorers are allowed at the Court St firehouse during curfew hours. Report cards must be handed in 2 weeks after the explorer receives them If the explorer fails to hand them in, then the explorer will be placed on suspension until the head advisor receives it. Explores must also maintain an average of 75 to maintain full rights to participate in the post activities. Explorers will receive a complete set of turn-out gear upon the completion of there physical. Explorers must also follow the parent rules of the department by-Laws and SOG’s.

Riding Privileges Explorers have to complete 4 mandatory classes to ride on fire apparatus (Hazmat Awareness, HazCom Bloodborne, Airborne, Sexual Harassment) Once completed, Explorers must go through ALL department apparatus and know the location and purpose of all equipment located on the apparatus (excluding ambulances, unless medically trained) Explorers must finally get tested by a Explorer Advisor before they are allowed to ride Remember, riding apparatus is a privilege, not a rite!!

On Scene Operations Explorers must ask to get off the apparatus for all emergency calls, no matter the location Explorers are not to have any direct patient care, unless directly asked for by trained EMS personal Explorers cannot directly participate in fire suppression, unless it is a grass fire. Explorers are on scene to provide support for regular members. This means that explorers assist them in anyway that is deemed necessary, which will be determined on the fire ground. However, explorers must always be mindful of there rules.

On Scene Ops. Cont. Explorers cannot - use hydraulic tools - use any equipment that runs off of gas (generators, k-12 etc.) - use gas meters, - use sawzall - radios (unless directed otherwise) - SCBA - or be on the tip of a hose line during a call Explorers cannot also climb anything over 6 feet tall while on scene Under no circumstances will an explorer enter a structure without proper authorization. These are BSA regulations, not department rules!!

Explorer drills Explorers are not held to the same rules and regulations as they are on the fire scene Explorers are allowed to operate hydraulic tools, saws, gas operated equipment, etc. This included the use of SCBA and being allowed to operate the hose line Explorers can drill using live fire, but still cannot enter a burning structure

This is a picture taken from an explorer drill

Drills are a chance to learn fire fighting techniques Explorers often chose the type of drill that they would like to participate in Drills are held every Monday with the regular department members, and Explorers have there own drill night on Thursday and sometimes Saturday and Sunday Drills with the department on Monday Nights are every week, while the Explorer drill schedule is set by the Explorers themselves.

Welcome to Explorer Post 46