Firefighters organize event for young people interested in becoming firefighters

ILLINOIS CITY, Ill. (KWQC) – The Muscatine Fire Department and other sponsors joined Camp Loud Thunder in Illinois City to host its first-ever Midwest Fire Explorers Day. The event took place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Event leaders say it focuses on fire-related activities and team building for people ages 14 to 21 who are interested in becoming firefighters.

“With this program, we're trying to develop kids, you know, and give them interest and firefighting to begin with, and watch them develop. So when they turn 18 or 21, depending on the department, they can apply directly to the department with already some experience and a good relationship with the department,” said Midwest Fire Explorer Day instructor Michael Fleming.

Fleming, who is also a firefighter for the Muscatine Fire Department, said Saturday's individuals participated in several activities, including fire drags, zip lining, rappelling and rock climbing. He says it's seeing participants develop their confidence over time that makes the difference.

“When they started trying to climb the rock wall, there were some obstacles, you know, some of that stuff can be a little scary. So watching them, overcoming their fears, continuing to push, you know, building confidence in kids is, you know, always a good thing to see,” Fleming said.

Firefighters at Saturday's event said departments across the country are seeing a decrease in requests. One theory is that they are required to be both firefighters and EMS.

Ava Acker and Kimberly Madson are two young women who are interested in firefighting and say they have what it takes.

“I started participating in the exploration program when I was in first grade. And now I'm going to my senior year, and I went there, and I liked the hero academy in Des Moines at Camp Dodge, and then that led me to join the National Guard and everything. And I feel like if I do this, and I was in EMT, like in class, but I feel like it'll help me become like a super cool firefighter. Someday in the future,” said Ava Acker, a 17-year-old fire explorer.

Madson also said she came from an emergency services background.

“My dad was actually ems and now he's a Muscatine County deputy sheriff. And then a family friend of ours, we have a lot of people in the fire and law enforcement field, know that knowing that they are helping people and that they are risking their lives to help others gives me want to go out there and help others. too,” Madson said.

Although this is only the first time the event has been held, Fleming says he believes it is one of the keys to helping the firefighting field grow.

“Having this opportunity to do this type of training gives them a huge head start though, and a lot of firefighters today actually come from exploring type programs, cadet programs, things like that, when they were younger, they develop a passion for the work and I ended up wanting to make a career out of it,” Fleming said.

Event leaders say at least 13 explorers came for Saturday's event and they plan to hold another in 2025 next year.

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