Inspiring Tomorrow's First Responders, Today

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Empowering Our Community

We’re proud to support the youth of our community through the Police and Fire Explorer Programs. These mentorship initiatives offer young people hands-on experiences, meaningful guidance, and the chance to learn from real-life First Responders, empowering them to build bright futures in service and leadership.

Fire Explorers

The Fire Explorer program is a “career-oriented program” chartered through the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women, ages 14 to 19, who have an interest in Fire Fighting as a career. The program offers hands on experience in fire service through training, community events, and participation in ride-along programs on emergency calls. The Fire Explorers meet every Thursday evening at the ‘Fire Training Tower” in Palm Beach Gardens. Sessions include:

● Physical fitness exercises
● Fire Drills, such as:

  1. Search and rescue
  2. Fire attack
  3. Forcible entry
  4. Hose management

● Varied EMS skills

Once an Explorer reaches 16 yrs of age and has been an Explorer for four months, he/she has the opportunity available to ride along with the crew to get a first-hand look at the life and day of a firefighter.

Explorers also participate in community service such as:

Public Safety Day

Firematics

Annual Golf Tournament

The PBG Fire Explorers have started to get involved in “Firematics” competitions where the Explorers compete against other South Florida Explorers in fireground skills.

Approximately 30 Explorers fill out the roster at a time with 2-3 new classes starting throughout the year. The program has been very successful in identifying and encouraging interested Explorers into a career of firefighting. In the last 10 years at least 35 Explorers have gone on to school and have been hired by various fire departments in the area, including the Palm Beach Gardens Fire Department!
The Foundation funds their membership dues to Boy Scouts of America, uniforms, equipment, fire gear and competition fees.

For further information please contact Lieutenant Sloan Grimsley at sgrimsley@pbgfl.gov.

Police Explorers

The PBG Police Explorers Group is a member of the Florida Association of Police Explorers (F.A.P.E.) whose goal is to better the community of children and young adults through education and a hands-on approach to prepare interested Explorers for the opportunities available in law enforcement. Scholarships are available for eligible Explorers through the F.A.P.E.

The PBG Police Department offers the Explorer Program for youths aged 14 to 21. Participants must:

● Maintain A Minimum GPA of 2.0
● Have No Prior Arrests
● Be Willing To Travel For Competitions.

Explorers meet weekly on Thursdays from 6 to 9 pm. Each session provides training in the following areas:

Physical Fitness

Officer Safety Techniques

Building Searches

Crime Scene Investigation

Firearms

Participants have the opportunity to participate in the F.A.P.E. competitions held at various locations throughout Florida. In addition, there are two delegate training sessions held annually (January and October). The state competition occurs in June or July and is followed by the Boot Camp in July. 

PBG Explorers support major community events through service. These include the Fall Festival, the annual Foundation Golf Tournament, the Easter Egg Hunt and others.

The PBG Police and Fire Rescue Foundation funds the Explorer Program through providing uniforms, necessary equipment, and through covering all competitions and Boot Camp expenses.  

For further information please contact Lieutenant Kirsten Eriksson at
keriksson@pbgfl.com.

The PBG Police Department offers the Explorer Program for youths aged 14 to 21. Participants are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, have no prior arrests and be willing to travel for competitions.