Recently CFPD volunteer Engineer Brian Nolan and volunteer firefighter Johnathan Villanueva attended a week long training academy in Southern California to become advisors for the newly formed Fire Explorer program.
Copper Fire has had a cadet program for the last few years, on and off depending upon interest, where-by the cadets would train with the volunteers. CFPD opted to adopt the BSA Explorer program for multiple reasons said Chief Kovacs. The "program is a recognized program which looks good on applications" as well as offering "insurance advantages."
Kovacs also pointed out the program will create more volunteers for the department as the cadets reach the age of 18. "It gives young folks a jump on a fire career."
The focus for the cadets will be not only of firefighting skills, but emergency protocols, firefighting policies and procedures, team building, equipment usage, leadership skills and more. The explorers will still attend volunteer training as well as specialized training just for them with hands-on projects and scenarios.
Currently the CFPD BSA Fire Explorer program has five cadets with one application pending.
If you are between the ages of 15 and 18 and are interested in the BSA Fire Explorer program at CFPD please contact Brian Nolan at 785-2393 or for more information on the program CLICK HERE
