The Huntington Beach Fire Department recently marked a milestone by welcoming their first Fire Explorer for a ride-along on Huntington Beach Engine 41! Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Fire Chief Scott Haberle, and our dedicated fire personnel were there to cheer on this special moment.
A Fire Explorer must complete numerous skills from a task book before being invited to a ride-along with on-duty Huntington Beach firefighters. The ride-along typically lasts a complete 12-hour shift and is a valuable learning tool for Explorers as they observe first-hand on emergency calls.
The Huntington Beach Fire Explorer Program was formed in 2023 (after separating from the Huntington Beach Search and Rescue Explorers). The Huntington Beach Search and Rescue Explorers program was designed for police and fire candidates and allows the Huntington Beach Fire Department to offer specialized training aligned with the fire service career path.
The Fire Explorer Program isn’t just about firefighting – it’s about building character, developing leadership skills, and fostering teamwork. It’s about making a difference in our community. The program emphasizes education, training, career development, and positive mentoring. Explorers attend mandatory training meetings that include classroom education and hands-on manipulative training.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department is looking for more young men and women, ages 14-21, to join them on this incredible journey!
To learn about the program requirements and to submit an interest card, visit https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/departments/fire/fire_explorer/.
