The Elgin Fire Department Explorer program has been established to provide youths with the opportunity to learn and participate in activities that firefighters and paramedics perform on a daily basis.
Our goal is to introduce young people to the rewarding profession of the fire service. Skills are taught in all aspects of firefighting and emergency medical services. Members of the program also participate in department-sponsored community service events. All of this is done in hopes that they will one day pursue their own career in the fire service. At a minimum, we hope all of our Explorers will at least have fun, learn something, and have some great experiences to share.
We train our explorers through both classroom and practical exercises that educate them on the basic skills of firefighting and emergency medical services, including:
- CPR / First-Aid
- Firefighting Fitness
- SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
- Search and Rescue
- Fire Suppression
- Tactics and Strategy
- Extrication
- Firefighter Survival
- And much more...
We also participate in community events:
- Elgin Fire Department Fire Safety Open House
- Annual Firefighter's Memorial Service
- Nightmare on Chicago Street
- National Night Out
- Public Education Events
- And other exciting and rewarding activities...
Each explorer cadet is provided with a uniform, bunker gear, SCBA, mask, gloves, boots, and hood. As a part of the program, each explorer becomes CPR / First-Aid certified. This is a highly physical program and participants should be ready to sweat and work hard while having an amazing experience.
Interested parties are encouraged to come to any of the scheduled meetings. Meetings are held twice a month, on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday @ 6:00 P.M. Contact the program coordinator for further information. Applications can be obtained at the explorer meeting or upon request.