“They witness what we do and we try to make it educational and let them get a foot in the door, hopefully at this fire house,” said Kyle Watkins, adviser and Franklin firefighter.
Originally, Explorer Post 2041 was formed in 1997. Currently, there are 12 explorers, up from four explorers two years ago, he said.
Participants between 14 and 18 years old. They meet the first three Thursdays every month and work shifts at the station in a six-day rotation (every 12 days during the school year). Currently, they’re training for an Aug. 29 explorer competition where they’ll compete in eight events, including search and rescue, hose accuracy, ladder relay, EMS and an obstacle course, said Watkins.
Watkins also said in addition to the fire fighting experience, the youth learn leadership skills and community service.
Explorer chief Erikka Dehart, 16, of Franklin, also earned company commander at Warren County Career Center — where she studies fire science and EMT lab — because of her experience in the program. At Franklin, she is in charge of the other explorers, does paperwork and scheduling and plans training.
After graduation, she wants to be a professional firefighter.
“I know all my explorers look up to me. I have to be here for them,” said Dehart. “I’ve got my feet in the door here. When I graduate, I want to get a job, that’s my goal,” she said.
Other explorers also say they gain from the program. Capt. Karen Beal, 17, of Franklin, plans to stay at the Franklin department.
“Once I observed it, I liked it,” said Beal.
For Raymond Seehousen, 16, of Springboro, there’s nothing else he’d like to do except eventually be a medical helicopter paramedic.
“I thought it was cool and helping the community, I thought this was the best way to do that,” Seehousen said.
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