Local Explorers Lead On at Academy

For 14 years now young men and women have arrived at the Fort Irwin National Training Center for the annual Explorer Academy. Ran by the Inland Empire Fire Explorer Association (IEFEA), the Academy is a five day camp where Explorers participate in a number of drills, get hands on experience, and decide if a career in firefighting is what they want to pursue. This year, two San Bernardino County Fire Explorers were in high ranking leadership roles. Jacob Sobrito, from the Lucerne Valley Post, will be serving as Explorer Chief. From Victorville, David Hernandez achieved the rank of Division Chief. “This is a big achievement for Jacob,” said Explorer Coordinator and Captain Jay Hausman, “It’s the highest ranking position at the Academy.” The IEFEA is made up of over 35 local programs in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Sobrito was selected out of 58 explorers who attended the Leadership Academy this September at Mile High Pines Camp, located in Angelus Oaks. This is his fourth time attending the academy and his third time in a leadership role. Hernandez is the Chief of the Victorville program and has been involved in the post for almost four years now. He was a part of what the IEFEA calls the “6-pack.” The 6-pack is made up of the Explorer Chief, an Assistant Chief, and four Division Chiefs. Each of the Division Chiefs has a specialty in either Safety, Training, Logistics, or as a Public Information Officer. Hernandez was in charge of Safety and paired with a professional firefighter safety officer during the Academy. This year’s Academy offered training in three specific areas over three days of exercises. Explorers practiced drills such as self-rescue and how to rescue a down firefighter. They participated in a live structure fire which taught them about fire behavior and attacking fires, and learned about flammable liquids and gases and how to handle situations where these chemicals are burning. The County Fire Explorer Program was open to young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21. Explorers participated in a wide variety of firefighter training, while the experience is most beneficial for those who decide to become professional firefighters, it helped those who end up going into different careers. The program taught discipline, motivation, communication, loyalty, and student participants must maintain a 2.5 GPA minimum.