Press Release

July 12, 2004

Press Release – Peterborough Fire/Rescue

July 12, 2004              For Immediate Release:  Three Peterborough Explorers Attend State Fire Academy

      On Friday July 2, 60 young men and women graduated from the 13^th annual New Hampshire Fire Explorer Training Academy.  Among these cadets were Jeff Halper, Amber Swindell, and Caroline Hampson, three representatives of the Peterborough Fire/Rescue Explorer Post.  For one week, these Explorers, young people ages 14-19, lived as fire recruits at the Richard M. Flynn Fire Academy in Concord, NH.

            The Explorers, known as ‘cadets’, began their day at 5:30 am with reveille and mustered “on the deck” at 5:45 am for physical training such as running, calisthenics and aerobics.  They were back in the dorm by 6:15 to clean up and be ready for breakfast by 7:00 am.  Their day was then spent in Fire Standards and Training Certified classes on subject such as Breathing Apparatus, Fire Behavior, Building Construction, and Forestry.  Lunch was at noon followed by more classroom sessions or on to practical evolutions, all the while marching in formation wherever they went.  Evenings were filled with group activities which challenged their minds and bodies.

            Cadets led a strictly regimented lifestyle for the week.  There were daily room inspections; cadets were expected to make their beds, arrange their desks and closets and keep the entire dorm clean and orderly.  By mid-week, cadets could fold a 45 degree “hospital corner” with the appropriate nine inch turndown of the top sheet and blanket.  Instructors were referred to as “Sir” at all times.

            The Peterborough Explorer Post has been sending cadets to the Academy since its inception 13 years ago.  Many of Peterborough’s current fire and rescue personnel are graduates of the program and some have returned to Concord as instructors and chaperones.  “It is a great program for these kids,” said Peterborough Fire Chief Joseph Lenox.  Explorers can take courses at the same level that career level firefighters take to attain certification.

            According to Jon Cares, Chief of the Fire Explorer Training Academy, the purpose of the Academy is two fold.  “First, we want to teach these young people the fundamental skills involved with firefighting.  The State Fire Academy is the ideal venue for this.  It is a first class facility with an excellent staff.  We are fortunate to be able to hold our training here.  Our second, and perhaps more important objective, is to instill a feeling of pride, accomplishment and teamwork in these young people.  All our activities are designed to foster creative thinking and teamwork among the cadets.”

            The cadets ended their week with a graduation ceremony on July 2, where they were presented with graduation certificates.  The naming of the Honor Group and Outstanding Cadet highlight the evening.  Dismissal of the cadets officially ended the week, however the friendships made, the pride, the accomplishments will not go away.