By Alyssa Zucker
Staff Writer
Picking a career in high school can be difficult and confusing. For students thinking about fighting fires for a living, there is a program to make that decision a little bit easier. The Fire Department Explorer Program is a chance for young adults to experience the world of firefighting.
This program is directed toward young adults interested in the job between the ages of 15 and 20. The Explorer Program teaches teamwork, leadership skills and camaraderie through the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The prospective firefighters work side-by-side with real ones, but are prohibited from participating in all of the potentially hazardous situations. However, they can ride along with any call the firehouse receives.
“The program is great,” Costa senior and Explorer participate Tommy Lastrapes said. “I’ve become good friends with the other guys in the program and the firefighters that lead the program are friendly and helpful people.”
Every Saturday from 8 to 12, the explorer program meets. For the first hour of the day, the new students do chores, such as yard work or laundry. After that, the students participate in physical training, and the last part of the day is participating in different drills for specific crises.
“I am one of the two training captains; I assist with teaching firefighter candidates the ropes of the job,” Long Beach Fire Department Captain Mike Caputo said. “Passing on your experience is a tradition here.”
One part of the program is a “ride-along.” The students stay at the firehouse for 12 to 24 hours and get to ride along with the firemen to whatever calls they get. The students are not allowed to fight any fires, but they get to experience the crisis close up.
Becoming a firefighter is a lengthy process. First, prospective firefighters study for around a year before taking a written and physical exam. Then, they go on a waiting list for an unlimited amount of time.
“We hire an average of 20 new employees per year, all of which are well-trained and knowledgeable. This program gives the people in it a leg up,” Caputo said.
The program prepares the students as best as it can. The firefighters are expected to live with each other and work together, so they are taught leadership and teamwork in times of danger. The program offers simulation drills to emulate real life crises.
In one drill, two students were required to rescue another student in a pitch-black building. The victim was “running out of oxygen” and the students had to work fast.
“The simulation drills are my favorite part of the program,” Lastrapes said. “They really get your adrenaline pumping and are a great guide to real situations. The drill helps us prepare for obstacles we would face when the real time comes.”
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