City of Charlottesville, VA Fire Department
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES


Organization

Chapter: IV - General Administration
Subject: Explorer's Post
Code: 1-IV-31
Revised: 6-10-96

31.0l PURPOSE

      The  Fire  Explorer  Post  shall  provide  support  to the Fire
      Department of Charlottesville and assistance to the citizens of
      Charlottesville  and Albemarle County.  The Explorer Post shall
      provide a program of career awareness, career development,  and
      support  of  the  District  and  Council  activities of the Boy
      Scouts of America.

31.02 POLICY

      A.  Establish training standards to insure that all members are
          thoroughly familiar with established fire  operations  that
          are used by the local jurisdiction.
      B.  Provide  information  and  trips to facilities so that mem-
          bers can see first hand about various fire service careers.
      C.  Instruct  members  in  the employment process, interviewing
          skills, and proper ways of preparing for  the  hiring  pro-
          cess.
      D.  Participate in District and Council scouting activities.
      E.  Assist  the Department in fire prevention, fire inspection,
          and public assistance programs.
      F.  Provide  a program that incorporates the six (6) experience
          areas of a well rounded Explorer program:  career, fitness,
          citizenship, social, and outdoor.

31.03 SCOPE

      To provide a career awareness program in the fire service field
      for all young adults in the City  of  Charlottesville  and  the
      County  of  Albemarle.   The  program shall be offered to those
      young  adults  who  sixteen  (16)  years  old   up   to   their
      twenty-first (21) birthday.

31.04 PROGRAM

      A.  The  Fire  Explorer  Program  is a career awareness program
          through the Explorer division of the Boy Scouts of America.
      B.  The Charlottesville Fire Explorer Program is located within
          the Monticello  District  of  the  Stonewall  Jackson  Area
          Council.
      C.  The Fire Explorer Program is supported by the International
          Association of  Fire  Chiefs  (IAFC)  who  must  approve  a
          program prior to implementation.
      D.  The  Charlottesville  Fire  Explorer Program is open to all
          young  adults  sixteen  (16)  years   old   up   to   their
          twenty-first (21) birthday.

31.05 POST ORGANIZATION

      A.  The  Charlottesville  Fire  Explorer  program  supplemented
          Captain   and   Lieutenant   in   place    of    President,
          Vice-President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer for post officer
          designation.  (see chart)
      B.  Meetings shall be held twice a month on the first (1st) and
          third (3rd) Tuesday.
      C.  There  shall  be  one  Advisor  appointed by the sponsoring
          organization and people interested in assisting the advisor
          shall be appointed as Associate Advisors.
      D.  All  persons  appointed  as  Advisor and Associate Advisors
          shall  have  background  checks  and  attend  child   abuse
          training provided by the Scouting Council or District prior
          to their appointment.
      E.  The  Advisor  and all Associate Advisors must be twenty-one
          (21) years of age.

31.06 GENERAL RULES

      A.  An  Explorer  must  have  a  release form signed by his/her
          parents or legal guardian upon acceptance to the Post.
      B.  Explorers  will  be  issued  department  uniforms - one (l)
          winter and one (l) summer uniform.
      C.  Explorers  will be furnished with proper safety equip- ment
          (i.e., coat, helmet, gloves, boots).
      D.  Explorers  must conform to the rules and regulations of the
          sponsoring department as well as the visitation policy  set
          forth by the Explorer Post.
      E.  The  Explorer  Post will follow the guidelines for the fire
          service as stipulated in the Worker's Compensation Law  for
          the State of Virginia.
          l.  Age  group  l4  to  l6  -  will  not  be allowed on the
              fireground or to ride any apparatus or  vehicles.   May
              participate with station duties.
          2.  Age  group  l6  to  l8  -  may  respond  to fires, ride
              apparatus and vehicles but  may  not  enter  a  burning
              structure   for   either   training   or   actual  fire
              situations.  May assist in support  activities  on  the
              fireground.
          3.  Age  group l8 to 2l - may respond to fires, participate
              in fireground activities, may enter burning  structure,
              and respond on apparatus and vehicles.
      F.  Explorers may not drive fire apparatus.
      G.  Explorers are not to be used to make up staffing shortages.
      H.  Explorers are not to be used as a labor force.
      I.  Explorers  shall  be  closely supervised when involved with
          emergency work.
      J.  Only  trained  Explorers will be allowed to respond in Fire
          Department apparatus and vehicles.
      K.  Explorers  may  be  mobilized by the department when needed
          for emergencies.

31.07 TRAINING

      A.  All  Explorers  will participate in training established by
          NFPA Standard l00l and the State of Virginia Office
          of Fire Programs.
      B.  All  Explorers  shall  have  Fire  Fighter  I  training and
          certification prior to riding apparatus on alarms.
          1.  All  Explorers must attain Fire Fighter I eighteen (18)
              months after joining the post.
      C.  All Explorers shall continue to move up in their training
          and maintain their present training levels.
      D.  Explorers  are  encouraged to attend shift training classes
          and practical evolutions.
      E.  Explorers  are  encouraged  to participate in college level
          fire science classes and will be allowed to attend  classes
          away from the department.

31.08 SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

      A.  Support  activities  that  explorers  may conduct or assist
          conducting are:
          1.  Fire hydrant inspections.
          2.  Pre-fire planning.
          3.  Fire  prevention,  public  fire  education,  and public
              assistance programs.
          4.  Team assisting in station duties and vehicle upkeep.
          5.  Assisting incident commander on large emergencies.
          6.  Communications
          7.  Filling self-contained breathing apparatus.
          8.  Testing apparatus.

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For Help using this system, send e-mail to:

Charles Werner (werner@ci.charlottesville.va.us)