An Article About us

in the High School's News Paper

   It is around 8 o’clock on a Thursday evening.  Three high school students are outside in Sugarloaf Shores trying to support the pressure of foam coming out of a inch and a half hose line.  Sweat is dripping down their faces and their arms are starting to fatigue.  They do this voluntarily.  The Sugarloaf Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD) has an Explorer program with nine boys and girls ranging from the ages of 13 to 17.

            Junior Chris Boveda is the Chief of the Explorers.  “I love everything I get to do.  Being able to work with the hoses and stuff,” Boveda said.

Boveda joined the program because he heard about it from a friend.  The idea of working for the department is what appealed most to him.  He said the other firefighters treat him, “like their grandson.”  “It is an excellent program.  All of the fun time we have.  All of the jokes,” said Boveda.

Every Thursday night from seven to nine, the Explorers meet at the station to train with the firefighters.  Some of the training that they have had is drafting water from canals, CPR training, and fire scenarios.  On Saturday mornings from nine to noon the Explorers come to the station and check each truck to make sure everything is working.  There is a set checklist for the tanker truck, the engine, and the squad truck.  The chief also tells the firefighters specific things to look for.  The Explorers check to make sure each truck shoots water properly and that the rescue (squad) truck’s tools are working in case of a vehicle crash or a medical call.  One of the more important items to check is the air packs.  If they do not work, then a firefighter could die in a fire.

            Diana Nelson is a volunteer firefighter who started the Explorer program at the SLVFD, along with her husband Brent Nelson.  “We wanted something that the kids in the community could do, something that is a good and wholesome activity.  I wanted something to do on Saturdays so I wouldn’t sleep in.  The police station has an Explorer program.  I thought, ‘Why can’t we get something good at the fire department.’  Firefighters rule,” says Nelson.

Nelson believes that the Explorers affect the morale of the station.  “What normally took us four hours to do, now takes us two with the Explorers.”  Her goals for the program, funded entirely through donations and fundraising projects, were to get it up and running and “to have a good program that kids enjoy being a part of.”  The program got into the community by word of mouth.  The Explorers inviting other kids helped also. 

 The county pays for the training.  So, if being a firefighter is someone’s goal, by the time they are 18, he/she can have all of their training and the county will have paid for it.  The aspiring firefighter will not have to worry about college money.  Boveda has graduated from the Firefighter One class and is still an Explorer.  Anyone that wants to become a paid firefighter is required to take the Firefighter One course.  Since Boveda already has it done he can complete other courses that are required also.  He is one step closer to becoming a firefighter.  “We’ve really watched Chris and he wasn’t sure if he was going to do it and look at him now.  It is really fun to watch them mature.  Its like a parental sense of pride,” said Nelson.

            On October 10^th, the Chief’s dinner took place at Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key.  Many fire departments from all over the county were there.  The purpose for this occasion was to name the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year and the Career Firefighter of the Year for each station.  Chris Boveda was awarded Firefighter Explorer of the Year.  The chief of the SLVFD, Mike Bowden, said the award, “grew out of the fact that we are doing Career Firefighter of the Year as well.  It seemed a natural extension to have an Explorer award.”  Boveda was recommended by the Explorer post.  Everyone at the station thought it was an excellent idea.  “Eventually it grew into an award at the dinner.  Chris is an obvious choice.  He has a lot going for him.  He has the spirit that is very essential.  He also puts in a lot of time at the station,” said Bowden. 

Chief Bowden thinks the program is wonderful for the station.  “Even if you decide you do not want to be a firefighter, the knowledge that you receive could come in handy one day.”

            The program is always looking for new members.  “It’s a fun, exciting way to serve the community in learning how to help people and do rescue type work,” said Lieutenant Eric Bonar. 

Firefighter Bob Adair said, “It’s an interesting activity, a potential occupation as a career.  It is a chance to work as a part of a team and see if you like to work like that.  It is also a chance to do something useful, worthwhile, and productive for the community.”  If students are interested in joining the program, contact Chris Boveda or Diana Nelson at the station at 745-4001 on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.

Written By: Bailey Parke