July 30, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2015-28) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org MOBILE FIRE-RESCUE HOSTING EXPLORER TRAINING EVENT Mobile Fire-Rescue will be hosting the Gulf Coast Fire Explorer Training Event on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1. Eight Alabama fire department Explorer programs will be participating in the event. Approximately one hundred young people and their advisors from Mobile, Birmingham, Montevallo, Forestdale, Robertsdale, Silverhill, Fairhope and Foley fire departments will be participating in the five scheduled events. Friday, July 31 at approximately 4:30 p.m. participants will climb to the top of RSA Tower. On Saturday, August 1 at approximately 8:00 a.m. participants will begin the five training courses at four separate venues. The events will last until approximately 8:30 p.m. The events and their locations are: EMS Biking/Safety – Civic Center Expo Hall parking lot Live Fire – Civic Center Expo Hall parking lot Water Rescue/Survival – Bishop State Community College Pool Fire Boat Operations – Mobile River behind Convention Center High Angle Rescue – USS Alabama Battleship Park The Exploring Program is intended to introduce youth to a career in a chosen field, while at the same time building skills and developing traits that will serve them in any career path. The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department Explorer Post is a career development program, aimed at the fire service, sponsored by the City of Mobile Fire-Rescue Department. The Post is comprised of male and female adolescents between 14 and 19 years of age who assist the Fire Department in community service and on fire scenes. This is a strictly volunteer program and participants are not paid to participate. The variety of activities and challenges are intended to build character and discipline. A shortened list of some of the skills they learn would include team building, public speaking, leadership, conflict resolution and problem-solving. ###