Fire Explorers Place Second at State Fair Competition
Fire Explorers Place Second at State Fair Competition
The Spring Lake Park–Blaine–Mounds View (SBM) Fire Explorers earned second place out of 16 teams at the Fire Explorer Competition, held during Governor’s Fire Prevention Day at the Minnesota State Fair.
The annual challenge brings together Explorer posts from across Minnesota to test their skills in firefighting and emergency response. Events included ladder raises, search-and-rescue, gear donning, trauma assessments, CPR/AED, firefighter relays, and public-education presentations. Teams are judged on safety, technique, and teamwork.
Exploring Post No. 3710, hosted by the SBM Fire Department, is made up of students from Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Irondale, Centennial, and Coon Rapids high schools, along with participants from several postsecondary institutions. Members train weekly alongside SBM firefighters to gain hands-on experience in firefighting and emergency medical services while preparing for potential careers in public safety.
The Fire Explorer program, open to youth ages 14–20, provides opportunities to build leadership, teamwork, and service skills while contributing to community safety.