The department has been working with the police on launching it, drawing on their years of experience with their explorers program.
TRENTON -- The Trenton Fire Department is starting a explorers program for youths ages 14 to 20 -- the first of its kind for the city.
And the department has been working with the police department on launching it, drawing on the police's years of experience with their explorers program.
Deputy Fire Chief Bob Tharp said the department started discussing the idea recently after being approached by the Boy Scouts concerning a youth program.
It was an easy decision, he said. "We felt it was in the best interests in the department."
Tharp has been working with police detectives Phil Peroni and Elsie Vega-Medina, who run the Trenton Police Department Youth Explorers.
They plan several cross-over events in the future, so they can expose children to all aspects of the public safety world. All three said it's a natural progression since police, fire and EMS often work together at incidents.
And since Trenton EMS is administratively a part of the fire department, explorers will get all three views, Tharp said.
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For example, if a police explorer is attracted by something in the fire department, they can switch over.
"It's a great opportunity for any kids the city who wants to be a firefighter, or a dispatcher or EMT," Tharp said
Peroni said the police department currently has police officers who are graduates of the exploere program.
"Hopefully, folks will feel the same way about joining the fire department," Tharp said.
The police explorers meets three Wednesdays a month, and the fire explorers will meet on Tuesdays. Both programs are open to youths ages 14 to 20.
Anyone interested in joining the new fire explorers can contact Tharp at 609-989-4035 or via email at trentonfireexplorers@trentonnj.com.
The police explorers are also adding a cadet program for ages 11 to 13. Anyone interested in either police program can contact Peroni or Vega-Medina at 609-989-3918.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
