The Hollister Fire Department has announced the start of a new Career Explorer program involving teens and young adults interested in the fire service.
The program for people ages 13 to 20 launched with an orientation meeting Jan. 15 with a goal of having an initial group meeting in February, said Fire Chief Mike O’Connor.
“It’s basically to help the youth get interested in job fields (and the fire service),” O’Connor said.
It is run through the Boy Scouts of America. The program involves paying annual dues of $25 for a uniform and other items, with the possibility of fundraisers helping to pay for items as well. The explorers will get to take part in some fire department activities, while being restricted against entering any burning units, the chief said.
“It’s a really good opportunity for somebody of a young age who wants to be a fireman in the future,” he said.
For more information, call (831) 636-4325.
According to the full announcement from the fire department:
The Hollister Fire Department is excited to announce a partnership with Career Exploring, a program to introduce junior high and high school students to careers through mentors. Staff from the Hollister Fire Department and San Benito County Emergency Medical Services Agency will serve as mentors and program advisors to these students as they learn about a career in Fire & Emergency Services through hands-on activities, participate in leadership development programs and provide service projects to the community.
Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women. It was established in 1956 through the Boy Scouts of America and impacts over 100,000 high school students annually. The purpose of the Exploring program is to provide real world career experiences and develop other critical skills necessary for success in a college and a career including:
• Leadership development
• Character Development
• Social & Professional Networking
• Community Service
Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Businesses and community organizations initiate a specific Career Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of youth in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop.
Thousands of local, regional, and national businesses and organizations deliver the Career Exploring program. Career Exploring posts have been successfully established representing over 100 different career fields.
All youth and parents interested in hearing about this new Explorer Post are encouraged to attend an informational meeting on January 15, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Hollister Fire Station 1. The new Explorer Post is open to young men and women ages 13 through 20 years old.
For more information about the Exploring program contact Captain Sean Olguin at the Hollister Fire Department (831) 636-4325 or Exploring Executive Hanna Woodman at the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council (408) 638-8322. You can also visit: www.learningforlifesvmbc.org
