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The *Elgin Daily Herald* recently published an article about a new initiative by the Elgin Fire Department: the launch of a Fire Explorer program aimed at engaging young people and inspiring them to pursue careers in firefighting. The program also seeks to bring more diversity into the department.
Open to youth aged 14 to 20, the program is set to begin in early fall, according to George Steiner, an Elgin firefighter who led the effort. The curriculum will closely follow the training that entry-level firefighters undergo, but at a more gradual pace. Sessions will be held twice a month, making it accessible for students while still providing meaningful hands-on learning.
Participants will start with essential skills like CPR and First Aid, and then progress to topics such as fire behavior, extrication, ladder use, fire hose operations, water dynamics, forcible entry, ventilation, and rescue techniques. The program is expected to cost around $15,000 annually, covering materials, helmets, and uniforms. Part of the funding will come from the department’s public education budget, with additional support potentially coming from city funds allocated for diversity programs.
Fire Chief John Fahy believes the program is long overdue. “If you were an Elgin student interested in the fire service, you had to join the South Elgin Fire Explorer program,†he said. He added that the program will involve both on- and off-duty personnel, with minimal overtime required.
Mike Przybylski, another firefighter, emphasized that academic performance will be a key requirement. Students must maintain a grade of C or better in school. The program is modeled after Elgin’s successful Police Explorer program and the Aurora Fire Explorer program, which has been running since 2002.
Carl DeCarlo, a firefighter and fire science instructor at Elgin Community College, played a major role in developing the new program. In the future, participants may even be eligible for an EMT-Basic certification through the college after completing the program.
The first class will include 20 Explorers. Prospective candidates will need to pass a basic physical test and go through an interview. An open house and orientation event will take place on Saturday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at Fire Station No. 2, located at 650 Big Timber Drive. For more information, contact the department at (847) 931-6181 or (847) 931-6177, or visit their website.
Thanks, Dan.