Hopatcong EMS Explorer Post #33"Our Best Today for a Better Tomorrow!"  

Are you a teenager that is trying to find what you would like to do in life? Are you a parent of this teen? Have an interest in the Emergency Services, but don’t know which one you would like: Police, Fire, or Ambulance? Are you between the ages of 14 and 21 years old?  Well, we can give you a window of opportunity that can help you solve this question. The Hopatcong EMS Explorer Post #33 is a program that introduces area youth to the vocation of the Emergency Medical Services. Using Hopatcong Ambulance Squad volunteer personnel, we create practical drills and situations in which to learn from. Our Explorers are given opportunities to train in similar fashion as volunteer Ambulance Members. This training not only assists the community; it also builds teamwork skills. We are also a program that is closely associated with the Boy Scouts of America. Due to this, we are charged with a portion of the development of youth into future adults. This becomes possible with the expansion of their minds through education and practical learning situations.  The post is a youth-led organization. The youth officers are elected and activities are planned and implemented based on the resources of the organization, adult committee members, parents, and consultants. Each Explorer starts the post on a six month probation period. This period is a chance for the new youth to learn the Post’s work schedule. It gives them a grace period for this learning with no expectations placed upon them except attendance. An Explorer starts with learning what an Emergency Medical Technician/First Responder wears and why. The turnout gear is an extremely important aspect of our profession. We take a good portion of the first month to properly explain what each aspect of this protective gear means to the Emergency Medical Technician. We also install the notion that the most important person on the Ambulance call, or at an Fire Call, is you. This way, if you are safe, you are able to assist another in their time of need.  In the next months, we introduce the Explorers to the Borough of Hopatcong. The Ambulances, the careers in the Medical Field, and training skills, such as Basic First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.  This is so each of the kids knows where they are going and who they will meet when they get there. Drills get more complex and challenging as experience grows in the Post. During this time we teach that the Exploring program is a family respected opportunity. Our Explorers learn to respect each other through team building skills. We teach them that, yes, you are the most important person on the Ambulance Call, but you also have to take care of your team. And, no one person can do the job by himself/herself.   When an Explorer is lifted from probation, they are able to vote for officers, sit on committees, and run for Explorer Office. They are also able to respond to certain calls within the Borough of Hopatcong. A Hopatcong EMS Explorer is granted the opportunity to respond to the Ambulance Building, for an incident and extended training calls.  At an Ambulance call, the Explorers are responsible to setup a very important aspect to the call situation. They are in charge of getting equipment needed for the call. This makes it possible for the EMT’s/First Responders to quickly take care of the patient. Each Explorer in this situation has to remember that this program is an introduction to the Emergency Medical Services. Explorers may not be substituted for trained EMT‘s/First Responders. The Explorers assist the EMT’s/First Responders in doing their jobs, but do not have complete patient care. The explorers realize that one has to gain the respect, knowledge, and strength and that the Exploring program is the first step in that process. The next choice, upon reaching the age of 18, is to join the Hopatcong Ambulance Squad.  The Explorer will learn that they have to train to keep up their skills to save lives, the Explorer has to train to attain his/her level. We believe that constant training, along with a dose of respect, will make a rewarded member.  We meet approximately 12 times a year. Twelve meetings are required to be active in the Post. Usually, we have one meeting and drill per month. Each of these is on the first Wednesday night of each month.  Meetings are from 7:00PM to 7:30PM. Drills last form 7:30PM to 9:00PM. School and family will always take precedence over the Explorer Post, so during the school year, we get the youth home early.  Young adults join the Explorer posts to gain insight into a variety of programs and hands-on activities that are challenging, fun-filled, and action-oriented. These activities help youth in developing their life’s goals. The Exploring program is a way to fulfill community service, as required by many Participating in Government classes or senior year requirements.  Following the Explorer motto, “Our best today for a better tomorrow,” the Hopatcong EMS Explorer Post #33 started approximately 5 years ago.  As of today we have graduated many  Explorers into full members of the Hopatcong Ambulance Squad. Do you want to start today? If you have an interest in the Hopatcong EMS Explorer Post #33, please reach us by the following avenues:    

201-400-4958 – Rita Russomanno, Explorer Advisor 973-663-4084 - Judi Wolff, Explorer Advisor

Or email us at

Wolff5@optonline.net

 

[ Click here to download Explorers application ]  [ 08-09 Explorers Schedule & Training ]