An increased effort to engage youth in first responder training and provide opportunities for leadership experience and career exploration is underway in Albany County.

On Monday, Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce, Legislators Joseph O’Brien and Nathan Bruschi and Sheriff Craig Apple were joined by local fire and EMS officials to announce an effort to expand the Sheriff Office’s existing Explorer Program to administrate a County-wide public safety explorer program – Albany County’s Future Heroes and First Responders Explorer Program.

“In recognition of the role these programs play in helping introduce this career path to our youth, I’m thrilled that we can help local fire and EMS departments offset some of the costs associated with operating an explorer program,” said Chairman Joyce. “At the same time, we are offering youth an opportunity to begin a career in public service, character education, community service, and critical life skills. These explorers are going to become the new heroes of tomorrow.”

“The explorer program provides classroom and hands-on experience for young men and women to understand what it is like to be a first responder,” said Legislator O’Brien, who advocated for the expanded program. “West Albany and Shaker Road Fire Departments have a long history in Albany County in providing this program and this funding will help provide the necessary resources to make it county-wide. The explorer program is essential in helping local municipalities in their efforts to hire new first responders.”

“As an Eagle Scout, I have seen up close what the mentorship and skills-building of Scouting's Explorer program. Colonie’s Fire and EMS program is a resounding success that offers daily inspiration,” said Legislator Bruschi. “The investment that my colleagues and I are making by founding this new County-wide Public Safety Explorer Program will pay dividends to Albany's youth who can use it as a pathway to find their career calling, and for our residents who will inherit as a safer county.”

This announcement comes with a $15,000 investment from the Legislature to ensure that Fire and EMS explorer programs in the County can recruit, transport, and effectively train future first responders.

“This is a great opportunity to expand our existing Explorer Program with added resources and we will be able to give other youth public safety experience firsthand,” said Sheriff Craig Apple.

The Shaker Road – Loudonville Fire Department has sponsored Explorer Post 475 since 1975. The program provides young men and women ages 14-17 with a team building and leadership development program that assists with career advancement and help them become productive members of society and a positive influence among their peers.

“The members of the post provide countless hours of community service at the fire department including responding to emergency calls and assisting active duty firefighters,” said Steve DeGroff, Explorer Post Advisor. “Many of the post members go on to become active volunteer firefighters and pursue a career in the emergency services field.”

The West Albany Fire Department began Explorer Post 0458 in 2001 and has seen more than 50 kids go through the program, with 10 becoming a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic.

“The West Albany Fire Department Explorer Post 0458 cares about all the youth in our community. For years, we have welcomed them as if they were our own and have helped countless youths pursue positive choices and opportunities so they can thrive into adulthood,” Louise Sullivan, Chair and Lead Advisor of Explorer Post 0458.