Local students have been given the opportunity to explore careers in law enforcement and firefighting, thanks to programs offered by the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station and the Big Bear City Fire Department. The Sheriff’s Explorers, which is open to 14 to 21-year-olds who maintain at least a “C” average, are introduced to the police profession while riding with patrol deputies and, within their first year in the program, attend a two-week training academy. Sheriff’s Explorers also visit several divisions within the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and compete against other Explorer Posts in mock police calls. (For info on participation, call 866-0100.)
The Explorers program offered by the Big Bear City Fire Department, which is also open to 14 to 21-year-olds, has been in place since 1990. Fire Explorers, under the tutelage of Firefighter Bob Barnett, assist the fire department at events and learn about firefighting at their weekly Wednesday meetings; in fact, many graduates of the Big Bear City Fire Department’s Fire Explorers program have graduated to careers as firefighters or serve as paid-call firefighters for Bear City. (For info on participation, call 585-2362.)
The Big Bear community has an opportunity to support our youth participating in these Explorers programs, as each is offering car washes to support their activities. The Sheriff’s Explorers will be scrubbing for their third consecutive Saturday when, on May 16, they will wash your car—or truck—for a $10 donation; this Saturday’s car wash is from 10am to 2pm at the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station, just east of Summit on the Boulevard. The Fire Explorers’ fundraiser car wash takes place in two Saturdays, on the 30th; the Fire Explorers will clean your car for free, but are happy to accept donations for the fundraiser, which takes place at the Big Bear City Fire Department, at 301 W. Big Bear Boulevard, from 9am to 3pm on the 30th.
