Lancaster Fire Department Explorer Program
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Intent
The explorer program is designed to instill fire safety and fire prevention in the youth of our
community. The program also provides its members with the general knowledge to perform as
support personnel for the fire service and a future as a professional firefighter for The City of
Lancaster. The program revolves around the interests, needs, concerns, and curiosity of youth
interested in the fire service.
Qualifications
This program is open to boys and girls ages 14 to 20. The post has a limited membership of 15.
All members must be registered through the B. S. A. Explorer Program.
General Rules
1. Explorers must be supervised when involved in any department activity.
2. Explorers must be equipped with safety gear that meets Lancaster Fire Department
standards and is appropriate for the job to be done.
3. Explorers must not be used to make up for personnel shortages.
4.The department may mobilize explorers when needed for emergencies. An explorer who
responds to an incident scene on his own does so as a citizen. No explorer will be permitted
to operate lights and sirens when responding to a call.
5. Only qualified, trained (class II and class III) Explorers are allowed to respond to alarms in fire
department apparatus, and they must do so wearing seat belts.
6. Trained, qualified, and supervised Explorers can be assigned to fire and rescue units for
support.
7. Explorers may not drive any city owned vehicle.
8. Explorers must conform to the rules and regulations of the Lancaster Fire Department.
Training
1. Explorers may train as long as two qualified instructors are constantly in attendance.
2. Explorers may participate in routine or special drills not involving live fires or dangerous
chemicals.
Support services
1. Explorers may participate in:
a. Fire hydrant inspection and maintenance
b. Pre-fire planning
c. All phases of fire prevention and public relations
d. Station and vehicle upkeep
e. Assisting at station after incident
2. Explorers may ride with prevention, inspection, and training officers with the officer’s approval.
If an emergency occurs while the explorer is riding with the officer, the explorer may respond
with the officer.
3. With the approval of the officer in charge, an explorer may be assigned to an engine and
respond to emergency calls.
Emergencies
1. Structural, Vehicle, and miscellaneous fires
Trained explorers may make hydrant connections, provide support services for salvage,
overhaul, ventilation and perform other related work under close supervision. At no time will the
explorer be allowed to advance into a burning building, an unsafe structure or an IDLH
environment. Explorers over the age of 18 and who have completed SCFA course 1152,
Hazardous Materials operations, and Bloodborne pathogens training can operate as back up
crew on handlines.
2. Wildland Fires
Explorers are not to be involved in the actual control of the fire. Explorers may be involved in the
control of breaks once the fire has been brought under control, and may assist in support
services at staging areas.
3. Hazardous Materials
No explorer is allowed to assist a hazardous materials incident. Explorers can assist at the
station if needed during a hazardous materials emergency. When any other type of emergency
which develops into a hazardous material emergency, all Explorers must leave the scene as
quickly and as safely as possible.
4. Rescue
Qualified class 3 Explorers may offer support services at a rescue without becoming involved in
the actual rescue. Explorers must not be exposed to any hazard, such as violent victims, traffic
hazards or explosions.
In any emergency situation, changes are bound to occur. Procedures and rules may be
changed at any given time by the officer in charge to ensure the safety of the Explorer(s)
involved.
Explorer Rules
Any Explorer breaking any of the following rules or being unsafe at the scene or at the station
will be dealt with in accordance with City policy and Fire Department guidelines.
1. There will be a limit of three Explorers working at any given time except on special occasions.
Two may be located at station 2 and one at station 1. Lancaster Fire Department volunteers
who are participating in ride a long time will be given preference.
2. Personal lockers and belongings are off-limits to Explorers.
3. The rights of others who may be asleep or resting must be respected after 10:00pm when
loud noise or behavior must be avoided. All explorers are to be gone by 10:00 PM.
4. No horseplay of any type is allowed at the station, on the fireground, or at any Lancaster Fire
Department activity.
5. All vehicles and equipment is off limits except when accompanied by FD personnel.
6. Each Explorer will obey all requests from FD personnel and Explorer group leaders.
7. Upon arrival at the Fire Department, each explorer will sign in and out and let the officer on
duty know the he / or she is at the station to work.
8. No one who is working at the station will be allowed to leave without permission from the
officer in charge.
9. Any Explorer working at the station is required to help the on-duty shift with station duties.
10. Each Explorer is required to clean up after themselves before leaving the station.
11. Each Explorer is responsible for their own personal items when at the station.
12. All house rules will be obeyed while at the station
13. Each Explorer must maintain a passing grade average in school (C-Average) if this grade
level is not maintained then a D grade in any subject results in 1 month probation. An F in
any subject results in a possible separation from the program until further evaluation.
14. Explorers are expected to conduct themselves in professional manner at all times, among
themselves and in public.
15. There must be no more than three (3) Explorers at The Lancaster Fire Department unless
attending a meeting or during an emergency.
16. Explorers must attend at least two meetings per month.
Second Tuesday of each month from 5-8 PM
Fourth Sunday of each month from 2-5 PM
17. Explorers must put in at least ten hours per month.
18. All explorers must maintain their assigned equipment.
19. Any explorer visiting the station for more than one hour must be in uniform. Uniform will
consist of Khaki pants, explorer shirt, and black shoes.
20. Only trained Class II and Class III Explorers are allowed on an emergency scene.
21. Duty hours for Explorers during the school year is Sunday - Friday 5:00pm – 9:00pm and
Saturday 8:00am – 10:00pm. Hours when school is not in session will be from 8:00 AM until
10:00 PM Sunday – Saturday.
At the Fire Scene / Responding
1. Every Explorer must report to the staging area when arriving on the fire ground.
2. All Explorer duties will be handed out by the officer in charge.
3. All traffic laws are to be obeyed: the Explorer is to respond as a citizen going to the scene on
his/her own.
4. All gear must be worn at the fire scene.
5. When responding to an emergency, the vehicle driver must not be disturbed.
6. All safety rules must be followed at the fire scene.
7. When circumstances dictate, Explorers may be asked to return to the station for their own
safety.
8. If the Explorer Captain is not at the scene, all Explorers should remain in the staging area
until asked to perform a duty.
9. Class I Explorers are not allowed on the fire scene.
10. Class II Explorers will be allowed on the Fire Scene only during normal explorer working
hours.
Lancaster Fire Department Explorer Course Outlines / Classification Levels
To achieve a specific class rating, an Explorer must exhibit a thorough understanding of the
items outlined below by satisfactory completing an evaluation conducted by a third party
evaluator who is not part of the program. It is the responsibility of the Explorer to maintain an
accurate account, which must be signed, dated, and approved by their advisor of the class
levels completed. Each Explorer will start as being a class I, 6 months later they are required to
be classified as class II. Within 6 months of being class II the Explorer should be classified as
class III. If the Explorer does not comply with these rules they will be canceled and possibly be
placed on a probationary period.
Class I
Objective: To introduce new members to the Lancaster Fire Department
Explorer program and to the fire service.
1. Orientation
a) Identify Lancaster Fire Department’s and the Explorer Program’s organizational
structure.
b) Identify Station I and Station II duties and work schedules.
c) Explain departmental rules and regulations
d) Explain Lancaster Fire Department’s Explorer Program rules and regulations
e) Discuss the basic duties of firefighters
f) Explain the need for public relations/fire prevention
g) Know how to complete all require forms.
2. Safety
a) Define general safety precautions
3. Apparatus Orientation
a) Identify all department apparatus and their functions
4. Fire Science
a) Explain the fundamentals of combustion.
b) Explain the methods of heat transfer.
c) Identify classes of fire.
d) Learn the basic firefighting terms.
e) Know the classes of fire extinguisher and their symbols.
5. Communications
a) Identify the basic radio codes.
b) Follow proper telephone answering procedures.
Class 2
Objective: Provide the fire Explore with basic manipulative methods and techniques in
accordance with the Lancaster Fire Department's standards and to introduce
the Explores to the Lancaster Fire Department's terminology and inventory.
1. Tools And Equipment
a) Basic equipment
b) Location of equipment
c) Equipment maintenance and care
2. Hose Lines And Appliances
a) Types of hose, nozzles, and fittings
b) Inspect and care of fire hose, couplings, and nozzles
c) Types of hose loads
d) Operation of hose appliances
e) Making and breaking hose connections
f) Operations of basic tools for hose use
g) Rolling and unrolling hose
3. Hose Lays
a) Explain the forward and reverse lays
b) Laying out hose to prepare for attack
c) Pulling booster lines
d) Pulling basic hose loads
4. Ladders
a) Types of ladders and their parts
b) Inspection and care of ladders
c) Methods of carrying, raising, and lowering ladders
d) Climbing, locking in, and footing
5. Ropes And Knots
a) Types of rope
b) Inspection and care of ropes
c) Basic knots
6. Water Supply
a) Water mains and hydrants
b) How to operate hydrants
7. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
a) Types of breathing apparatus
b) Inspections and care of SCBA
c) Donning SCBA
d) Conducting search and rescue training
Class 3
Objective: To provide the Explorers with the opportunity
To develop manipulative skills and technical
Knowledge necessary to perform as a firefighter.
1. Handling Charged Lines And Appliances
a) Nozzle operation
b) Advanced hose lines
c) Operating master streams
d) Replacing damaged sections of hose
2. Wildland Fire Control
a) Factors that influence fire spread
b) Dangers of wildland fires
c) Assisting the forestry service
3. Salvage and Overhaul
a) Need for salvage and overhaul
b) Using salvage equipment
c) Methods of conducting salvage and overhaul
4. Forcible Entry
a) Types of doors, windows, and locks
b) Methods of gaining entry
5. Extinguishing Techniques
a) Methods of attacking structure fires
b) Methods of attacking LP gas fires
6. Ventilation
a) Types of ventilation
b) Methods of performing ventilation
7. Extinguishers
a) Basic extinguishing agents and uses
b) Operating extinguishers
8. Rescue
a) High level
b) Trench
c) Confined space
d) Water
e) Lost person
9. Fire Prevention
a) Inspections
b) Public education
c) Types of prevention programs
10. Hazardous Materials
a) Need for education about hazardous materials
b) Identification
c) Equipment