FIRE & RESCUE 
Fire & Rescue - Akron Fire Department - Post 2625
Hands on training and participating with the fire fighters in their training make this post "real life" for the members. Members can visit the fire station at anytime and participate. Service projects include aluminum can collection for burned children. For more information, contact Roger Turner at 330.784.7533.
Bath Fire Department - Post 2542
For the past 15 years, Bath Fire Department has sponsored Explorer Post 2542 to teach young people about careers as firefighters and paramedics. Young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21 join Explorer posts to learn about various careers. This gives them valuable hands-on experience while learning about a career they might want to pursue. Bath Fire Department’s post started in 1983 and has been very successful. Numerous past members have gone on to careers as firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, nurses and private fire investigators for insurance companies. The post has won awards both locally and nationally. Training for post members includes working with ladders, hose lines, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), fire extinguishers and fire pump operations. In addition the members learn about fire behavior, fire inspections, arson and fire investigations. In the EMS area they learn about CPR, advanced first aid, heart arrythmias, IV solutions, backboarding and c-collars, and other paramedic responsibilities. Some of the specialty training includes scuba diving, rope rescue and rappelling, confided space rescue, trench rescue, hazardous materials and vehicle extrication. Most training is hands-on. After completing a prescribed amount of training, Explorers are allowed to respond (non-emergency) to the fire station to assist with major incidents such as structure fires. Trained Explorers are allowed to participate at the scene of fires by helping with such things as changing air bottles on SCBA’s, getting tools, handling hose lines and various other exterior jobs. At no time are Explorers allowed to enter burning buildings or other hazardous areas.
Explorers help out with community projects as well. The members have helped out with safety town, the Bath Horse Show, the Halloween party at the fire station and have helped with the trails at Bath Elementary school along with helping the fire department with the building of the deck at the Community Center.
Participating in Exploring is not all work and no play. Each year the post plans a super-activity which is a get-away trip for the Explorers. Past trips have included white water rafting in West Virginia, five trips to northern Minnesota for a week of wilderness canoeing along the Canadian border, and the trip to Boston for the Leadership Conference. Upcoming trips include another trip to the National Exploring Leadership Conference this summer in Washington D.C. and the post has started planning for a trip in 1999 to a High Adventure Base in the Florida Keys for some sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Funds for these trips and for other expenditures are raised by donations at the free car washes at the Montrose Acme store that the post holds in May and June.
The Explorer post, which recruits primarily from the Revere school district, is currently looking for new members. Young adults between the ages of 14 and 21 interested in joining should call the Bath Fire Department at 330.666.3733 and ask for Tom Kamp, who is the Post Advisor. Associate Advisors include Gena Powers, Bath dispatcher and Paramedic; Dave Flowers part-time Bath firefighter and Paramedic; and Jason Mihalek, part-time firefighter and paramedic student from the Richfield Fire Department. Gena and Jason are both former Explorer post members. The post meets on the first and third Mondays at the fire station located at 3864 W. Bath Rd. from 7pm to 9pm. Additionally, members train with the fire department on the first Thursday of every month. Members joining now will be eligible to go to the Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. this summer.
Charlestown Fire Department - Post 2216
This two year old unit is led by Robert Podojil who’s dedication is evident by the level of care given in providing quality programming to the youth members. Fire fighting techniques, first aid, and equipment use and care are all taught along side the volunteer fire fighters. The Explorers have become an integral part of the fire station and have great support. For more information, contact Bob Podojil at 330.296.6163.
Chippewa Township Fire Department - Post 2003
Explorer group 2003 is a fire fighting post which works with the Chippewa Township Fire Department, located in Doylestown, Ohio. Our post members are taught fire fighting skills, some EMS skills and they have the hands-on opportunity to go on fire runs with the fire department. Explorers train with the fire department on Tuesday nights at 7pm. We are also going to set up special explorer training (date to be announced). Explorers can participate in a variety activities including parades and helping the fire department with fund raisers such as pancake breakfasts. The fire department and Explorers work hand in hand. If interested in this post you can call the Fire station 330.658.2300 on Tuesday nights after 7pm. Ask for Mike Rote. Home # 330.658.6496
City of Green Fire Department - Post 2580
The City of Green Fire Division has just sponsored a new and exciting Explorers Post that began meeting in March 1998. The post meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, from 7pm to 8:30pm, in the city council meeting room behind the fire station. There are a number of exciting new events and projects scheduled for the post, including participation in a vehicle extrication demonstration for the students at Green High School, training on search and rescue techniques in theatrical smoke conditions, participation in the communities Memorial Day parade, and training for participation in the local fire muster competition. The long-term goal of our program will be to develop a ride along program where the Explorers will actually be on the trucks with the firemen and see fire, EMS, and rescue scenes first hand. For more information on this growing and exciting post, please contact Jeff Funai at 330.699.0630.
Clinton Fire Department
Contact Rick Schilling at 882-4828.
Copley Fire Department - Post 2540
For over 16 years, the Copley Fire Department has sponsored an Exploring program. The members learn about equipment, safety and career opportunities. There are a number of service projects including, helping at their annual pancake breakfast each year. For more information, Contact Doug Huffman at 330.666.6464.
Erhart Fire Department - Post 2500
Learning about fire equipment and fighting techniques are a portion of what this post is involved in. However, helping educate the public about fire hazards and other dangers is a priority also. The Explorers teach young children the importance of fire and home safety at the local schools. For the High school age group, the explorers put on a Mock disaster at the high school at prom time, to remind the students not to drink and drive. For more information, contact Jeff Starling at 330.483.3908.
Edinburg Fire Department - Post 2535
Led by Marlin Brown, this new Exploring unit learns the skills needed to become a fire fighter or emergency medical technician. Hands on training and on the fire scene experience, prepares the Explorers for either a career or a position on the volunteer force. For more information, contact
Liverpool Township Fire Department
The Explorers on the Liverpool Fire and Rescue Department have established themselves as valuable assets to the organization. Once familiar with department protocols, the cadets, as we have termed them, are encouraged to respond to calls to provide them with a look at real-life situations. To safeguard the cadets, their actions are limited to their training and supervision available on the call. Training for the cadets is varied and we try to make it as interesting as possible. Cadets are allowed to attend the Monday night training sessions with the entire department. This helps everyone get to know the cadets and have more confidence in what they can do. Training specifically for cadets is normally held on Sunday afternoons. A favorite training is search and rescue at the fire tower at the Medina Career Center. We use smoke machines and the tower to give the cadets some intensive training in realistic, but safe, conditions. The fired department has an annual three day street fair, which is held the last full weekend in August. The cadets operate a food and pop tent to raise funds. They also sell fire department tee-shirts at the street fair. The department also has a well- attended pancake breakfast each March. For the past few years, the cadets have cooked all of the sausages, which is quite remarkable since we serve over 800 people in five hours. The local high school recently had a Donkey Basketball game. The cadets were part of two teams, both of which proved victorious over adult teams. The members of the fire department are very impressed with the caliber of young people that make up the cadet program. As the person responsible for the cadets, I enjoy teaching these young people about the world of fire and rescue. As anyone who knows me can tell you, I like to have fun and I like to let the cadets have as much fun as possible while learning. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Valley City Fire and Rescue Explorers, contact Don Boone at the fire station (330) 483-3811.
Lodi - Post 2998
Todd Graham is the advisor of this active Exploring post. Giving the members as much hands on activity as possible is the goal. 8 of the 13 members are attending the National Exploring Leadership Conference in Washing ton DC this summer to compete in national events. The post also attends the Great Trail Council Firemuster each August and is well prepared for all competitions. For more information, contact Todd Graham at 330.948.3321.
Mantua Fire Department - Post 2570
This year will complete the 20th year Mantua has sponsored an Exploring post. Hands on training in all the fire and rescue fields keeps the youth interested. Many current fire fighters in Mantua are former Explorers. On the idea of the youth officers of the post, Mantua is hosting a Firemuster and training session for Fire and rescue posts over the weekend of June 12 & 13th. For more information, contact Ken Justus at 330.298.0158.
Munroe Falls Fire Department - Post 2410
The 10 members of this exploring post learn the details of the equipment. From the self contained breathing apparatus to the fire trucks, they learn about the tools of the trade. Haz-mat and chemical spills are addressed. The explorers ride along on calls and assist fire fighters with gear at the fire scenes. The post is active in helping others by performing a variety of service projects to assist elderly home owners. For more information, contact Pat Burniston 330.686.0809.
Paris Township Fire Department - Post 2281
Terry Porter is the Advisor to this new Fire and Rescue Exploring post. After completing training in first aid, fire fighting techniques, equipment and safety, the students are allowed to go on scene with the volunteer fire fighters to assist them with equipment and crowd control at fire scenes. For more information, contact Terry Porter at 330.358.2469.
Streetsboro Fire Department - Post 2026
Chris Fredmonsky is the Advisor for the Exploring post at this fire station. Kevin has been able to get many other firefighters to assist him in providing an exciting program to the youth members. The Explorers take part in community service projects in addition to sitting in on the training sessions for the firefighters. This post has been up and running for the past three and a half years and continues to grow by providing quality programs to the youth. For more information, contact Chris Fredmonsky at 330.650.2985.
Wadsworth Fire Department
Contact Scott Valent at 330.334.4337.
153 N. Lyman St.
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281
