Explorer Post 247 Connects Youth to EMS
“Explorer Post members get a chance to see exactly what we do and be part of the team. These experiences put them ahead of the curve before they ever set foot in an EMT class.”
The Austin-Travis County EMS Explorer Post was established in 2010 as a way for interested high schoolers and youth to learn about EMS as a profession, as well as to teach skills that are useful in adulthood.
Who are the Explorers?
Our Explorer Post is comprised of youth ages 14–21. They have expressed an interest in EMS and want to learn what we do and often times, prepare for a career in EMS. We meet most of our potential future paramedics at area high schools, career fairs, and through Recruiting events. We are able to educate interested youth on what the Explorer Post is, does, and why we could be a great career connection. Youth who enter the program have opportunities to learn first-aid skills, leadership skills, and involve themselves in community service.
What do the Explorers do at meetings?
Meetings are two hours long, weekly, and combine both business meetings and training sessions. The Post has a structure that includes a team of officers, along with general members. The officers oftentimes are in charge of setting agendas and are responsible for helping to organize many of the events.
The Explorers are also trained in many aspects of EMS skills, such as patient assessment, basic and advanced first aid, CPR, and wilderness rescue. They are able to practice these skills at the weekly meetings during scenarios, as well as during our annual two-week summer and winter camps.
When new Explorers come on board, they are put through an academy to learn pertinent skills and operational procedures prior to ride-alongs.
What do the Explorers do on ride-alongs?
The Explorer ride-along program is designed for the youth to observe what EMS medics do on calls and in the hospital. This exposure to EMS happens at a far earlier age than any citizen observer could ride out, as well as earlier than any EMT program tends to allow. Explorer Post members get a chance to see exactly what we do and be part of the team. They are allowed, once trained, to perform basic skills such as vital signs, patient assessment, bandaging and splinting, and CPR. These experiences put them ahead of the curve before they ever set foot in an EMT class.
What do the Explorers do for the community?
Our Explorers help out at our Community Health pop-up clinics by obtaining vital signs and helping our Community Health paramedics assist those in need with navigating to the resources available. Additionally, Post 247 provides first-aid at local events that the Scouts of America or other area posts have. Our Explorers also teach CPR and first-aid at Scouting events, as well as have taught CPR to the Austin Police Explorers and the community at large. Occasionally, they will have events such as a car wash for fundraising for the Post.
The Explorer Post also has its own Honor Guard that has presented colors for Scouting’s Report to State, the Circuit of Americas, the Central Texas Wolfpack public safety football team, as well as assisted the Austin-Travis County EMS department Honor Guard at the department’s annual award ceremony.
What is the benefit to our department to have an Explorer post?
Having an Explorer Post provides another pool of possible employees for our department. To date, we have hired six of our Explorers into Medic-I positions in both the Field and Communications, and currently have another Explorer in the Medic-I Field hiring process. The Explorer Post has an extremely high success rate in regards to credentialing to independent duty as an atypical means of recruitment. Without this exposure to EMS, these youth may have never considered our profession as a viable career.
All funding for Explorer Post 247 comes from monies raised by the members at fundraising events such as the aforementioned car washes; one of the primary tenets of Exploring includes learning money handling and other financial skills. Members are not allowed to accept donations, except for used equipment and uniforms the Department provides for the Post.
Can I get involved in the Explorer post?
ATCEMS Medics: Contact Post Lead Advisor, Amanda Baker, about how you can become more involved, such as a ride-along advisor.
High School Students: If you’re interested in being a member of the Post, or know someone who is, please register here to be connected with a Post Ambassador.
Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page!
Interested in a career with ATCEMS? Contact our Recruiting team at EMSRecruiting@austintexas.gov or give us a call at 512–974–1098. You can find dates for the hiring process elements here.
Follow us on all social media channels, and don’t forget to fill out a connect profile.
This publication features ATCEMS work culture and the lives of our medics. *Readings from other publications posted to Medium do not necessarily reflect the views or position of Austin-Travis County EMS, the City of Austin, or Travis County*
