Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Fire Department of Mt. Juliet (FDMJ) announces that it will charter a new Fire Services Explorer post under the Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life program. The Fire Service Career Exploring program is open to young men and women ages 14 that have completed the 8th grade, but are not yet 21-years-old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Fire and Emergency Services. FDMJ’s leadership has been instrumental in organizing the Explorer Post to provide an opportunity for Mt. Juliet’s youth to learn more about the fire service.
An open house and registration event for interested participants to learn about the post is scheduled on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. The open house will be held at Mt. Juliet Fire Station #1 located at 104 Belinda Parkway in Mt. Juliet. Upcoming activities include: Introduction to the Fire Service, Fire Ground Support Functions, and tours of other emergency service agencies like Vanderbilt Lifeflight. Annual membership dues are $20.00. Participants will also be required to purchase their uniforms.
“We felt that a Post would provide students and young adults with great experience to see firsthand what firefighting and the emergency services is all about,” stated Fire Chief Erron Kinney. “Participants will have a chance to have actual hands-on training with the equipment and tools that are used in the field every day.”
The program provides a hands-on experience that exposes participants to many career experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path with fire and emergency services and to challenge them to become responsible citizen of their community and country.
“It has been my goal to get this program started in Mt. Juliet. I entered the fire service in 1985 as an Explorer, and I owe so much to the program,” stated Captain Chris Allen, who is organizing the program. “This program helps young adults figure out what they do and don’t want to do as a career.”
Nationally, over 22,500 Explorers participate in over 1,700 Fire and Emergency Services Posts. The program highlights include: the National Fire and Emergency Services Exploring Conference, ride-alongs, career achievement and proficiency awards, training scenarios, and scholarship opportunities.
“Providing this experience not only allows Mt. Juliet youth to learn more about the fire service and explore it as a career option, but it also allows our department to potentially build capacity for future firefighters to service such a wonderful community,” said Fire Assistant Chief Jamie Luffman.
Contact: Captain Chris Allen (615) 686-7687
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