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Four of the six members of the Explorer Post 1001 -a group trained by members of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District and financially supported by the Beach Kiwanis- participated in water rescue operations at Big Carlos Pass Wednesday evening.

FMB Fire Chief Mike Becker, Community Emergency Response Team leader Al Agathen and Kristine Shinner were involved in the final stage of the water rescue component of the training of students Dale Nielsen, Devin Bennett, Lee Laumeyer and John (J.J.) James. Kevin Watts and Stephen Pierce were absent from the Wednesday training.

The student group practiced two different victim retrieval approaches -one using an attached rope cord and one with a cross-chest maneuver- and swam across the channel while combating an incoming tide and a four knot current running through the pass.

"It's a good experience to get into an uncontrollable environment like this," said Becker. "That's essentially water rescue when you have a lot of things working against you. The swim is more of a confidence builder and, with the sun setting, there will be some urgency to get across. These procedures are what we basically do with our fire fighters."

Becker was the safety officer in the water, while Agathen was the safety officer on shore. Bonita Springs Fire Rescue, which teaches water rescue around Lee County, provided its Marine 22 boat to aid in the operations.

"The safety officers make sure everything is going according to the way it is scripted and see that nobody gets in trouble," said Agathen. "We have signals if somebody does get in trouble."

The four Explorer students, ranging from ages 16-18, took turns being rescuer and victim during the procedures.

"Coming back to shore isn't their only option," said Becker. "They can swim to the boat if they feel that is best. You have to think quickly the whole time you are out there. What we want them to do is make good choices."

Becker said the group has been working on water rescue for the past couple of months.

"This is a big piece of the program," he said. "Coaching goes a long way.

The students have one more segment of the program with tools and equipment to complete the second year of the training. "

The third year gets a little more intense," said Becker.

The Beach Kiwanis are the financial sponsors of Explorer Post 1001.

"Every post or troop has a charter organization, and the Kiwanis provide the financial components of the program," said Becker. "All the money, liability and oversight administratively is done by the Kiwanis. We couldn't do this program without them."

Becker said the two organizations will probably combine efforts for another recruitment to take on another six students in August.

Background of the Explorer program

Explorer Post 1001 began in early 2007 after a representative of the Learning for Life career education program made a presentation outlining the program to Beach fire fighters.

It is a career education program geared to emphasize career opportunities, service learning, leadership experience, life skills and character education, according to Learning for Life executive Tina Pegler.

The program provides a venue for youths interested in a field to become familiar with the inner workings of that discipline, in this case being fire and rescue.

Becker says the students get drug-tested and their grades are checked during the program.

"They have to maintain a minimum requirement of a C grade," he said. "I would like for them to maintain at least a B grade. if they average a C grade or lower, I put them on probation and give them the support they need. We have a lot of CERT volunteers who can help them get their grades up. If you're flunking out of school, you are out of the program. You have to send a very clear message."

The program provides more community interaction with the Beach department, something that Becker has always emphasized as a priority for the district.

*Benefits of Exploring

n Department Benefits include:

Impact on the education process of youth.

Team-building attitude within the department.

Opportunity to interpret adult occupational roles for youth.

Preparing young adults for transition into the workforce.

Creating a "safe haven" for the healthy development of adolescents.

Developing future responsible and caring adults.

Ensuring that young people see how your department relates to the free-enterprise system.

Helping young adults gain insight into ethics and ideals of fire/emergency services.

Visible commitment to the welfare of the community.

n Employee Benefits include:

Greater job awareness.

Developing leadership and problem-solving skills..

Re-evaluating ethical and moral value.

Opportunity for greater community involvement.

Respect from youth and community.

Identification as appropriate adult role models.

Enhancing communication, planning and program developmental skills.

Developing interpersonal skills used in the workplace and elsewhere.

n Youth Benefits include:

Stimulated interest in continual education.

Career information; insight into future vocation.

Positive alternative to negative youth activities such as drug abuse and involvement with gangs.

Sense of acceptance and belonging to the "right" group.

Safe environment for adult-like activities.

Opportunities to participate in practical, real and meaningful hands-on experiences.

New career and personal skills.

Opportunities to try leadership roles and develop skills.

Cooperative relationship between adults and youths.

Service to others.

*Information provided by Learning for Life

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