Inside Sonoma’s fire explorer program

The Schell-Vista Fire Department sponsors Explorer Post 911. Since its start in 1986, the program has given hundreds of local youth the opportunity to explore a career in the fire service.

“Although we do not expect all participants of this program to continue in the field of emergency services, we do expect each individual to grow and mature from our program,” said Stewart Bobo, who runs the program for the fire department.

The Explorers, ages 15 to 21, meet on the first, third and fifth Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Schell-Vista fire station at 22950 Broadway.

With the guidance of Schell-Vista’s firefighters, they participate in hands on training, including structural and wildland firefighting and auto extraction. The Explorers are issued full personal protective equipment that meets national fire protection guidelines.

Each spring, the Explorers can participate in an intensive week-long statewide fire exploring academy. Bobo says that the “firefighting boot camp” provides some of the best training in the shortest amount of time from highly qualified instructors.

Currently more than 40 percent of Schell-Vista Fire Department personnel were members of Post 911, including three of its captains.

The fire department is actively recruiting new explorers to fill vacancies in the program. Interested students should contact Stewart Bobo at 938-2633.