A.L. Fire Explorers (back row, L-R) Chris Bergerson (Chief), Andy Munson, Ben DeVries, Brett Boss (Captain), Andrew Stoneking. (Front row, L-R) Ali Weisert, Kelly Royce, Kayleigh Baringer (Asst. Chief), April Hanson(no longer a member), Brieana Hanna (no longer a member), Jeni Brandt (no longer a member). Not pictured - Ben Czaplewski, Breann Sorenson, Dan Moen, Elissa Goskeson.

MISSION:

The Albert Lea Fire Explorers mission is to instill community responsibility and awareness in our young people by providing experiences that give them an appreciation for what the fire department does for the community. After training and working with the fire department, it is hoped that these young people will develop a long standing history of community involvement, whether it is through a career choice or volunteer work.

RECRUITMENT:

The Fire Explorers Program is open to young adults age 15-21. Fire Explorers are recruited in much the same way as regular firemen. When an opening becomes available, the firemen will go to the schools and host an open house to encourage applications. Interested students then need to submit a 50 word essay along with their application explaining why they would like to be a Fire Explorer. These students are then interviewed and the field is narrowed to the top ten who are put on a waiting list.

Albert Lea Fire Explorers:
Chris Bergerson (Chief), Kayleigh Baringer (Asst. Chief), Brett Boss (Captain), Andrew Stoneking, Breann Sorenson, Andy Munson, Dan Moen, Ben DeVries, Ali Weisert, Ben Czaplewski, Elissa Goskeson, and Kelly Royce.

Albert Lea Fire Explorer, Brieana Hanna, helps a little girl spray water into Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, MN