OXNARD : 17 Fire Department Explorers Sworn In

In a first for Oxnard and Ventura County, Oxnard Fire Chief Randy Coggan swore in 17 fire explorers--community youths trained to assist firefighters.

Dressed in navy blue uniforms, the members of Fire Explorer Post 9244 solemnly repeated their oath at Tuesday’s City Council meeting before the chamber thundered with applause.

“This is one time again that Oxnard has stepped out in the lead,” Coggan said.

Though 31 youths ages 17 to 19 enrolled in the program in October, nearly half dropped out because of the program’s rigorous requirements or other commitments.

The 17 who stayed in the Boy Scouts-sponsored program worked two Saturdays each month learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and search-and-rescue techniques, as well as the use fire-suppression equipment.

Coggan said the department cannot put the youths on the fire line but the explorers can participate in non-hazardous activities. According to Coggan, the explorers will continue to undergo training and represent the department at safety fairs and other community events.

Craig Livesey, the explorer’s post president, plans to stick with the explorer program.

“I learned leadership, how to talk to one another . . . and how to deal with responsibility,” Livesey said.