Open house in April Anchorage Fire Explorers Recruit New Volunteers
BY SDMN
The Anchorage Fire Explorers will be recruiting new volunteers this spring from students of the School District. They will be visiting all the high schools, hosting events and displays to show the kids what the organization is all about. They will also be sending recruitment flyers to local 8th grade schools to recruit soon to be high school students. Firefighting is everyone’s responsibility!
The Anchorage Fire Explorers work on a hands-on firefighting program for local youth through the Boy Scouts of America. They meet once a week for three hours to teach high school youth different aspects of fire and Emergency Medical Services through real-life practical skills and applications. Throughout the year, they hold various activities and events.
“We actively recruit potential members every spring,” Matt Carlson, the Anchorage Fire Explorers Public Relations, and Recruitment Committee’s senior advisor, tells Sol de Medianoche. “We reach out to all area high schools to host events and displays, to show young people what Fire Explorers is all about. We also send recruitment flyers to local 8th grade schools to recruit soon-to-be high school students.” Currently, Anchorage Fire Explorers is made up of 74% white or Caucasian; 6% white; 8% Hispanic; 6% Asian or Pacific Islander; 3% black or African American; and 3% multi-racial members.
“We don’t actively recruit a specific race, gender or socioeconomic class,” says Matt Carlson. “We focus on schools and student fairs. We try to recruit at all high schools, in the Anchorage School District, and we encourage anyone of any race, gender, or socioeconomic class to apply.”
Recruiting is one of the Anchorage Fire Explorers’ main projects during the spring. “We’re volunteering at the American Heart Association Alaska Heart Run and Walk on May 20, and we’re planning a road cleanup day once the weather warms up and the snow clears,” Matt says. We will be hosting an open house in April to showcase the program to potential candidates.” “We encourage any high school age youth to consider applying to the Anchorage Fire Explorers!” finishes Matt Carlson. “If any youth has an interest in a career in fire or EMS or would like to learn more, have them check out our Open House on April 29, 2023, at the Anchorage Fire Department Training Center.”
