~ Memories from Greg Greenhoe, from 30 years ago:
It was the fall of 1994 and the adult leaders and several fire explorers walked into the Angeles National Forest Supervisor’s Office and inquired whether we would consider sponsoring their Fire Explorer Post. Their sponsor at the time was the City of South Pasadena Fire Department, who had decided to go with a Fire Cadet program and terminate their relationship with Explorer Post 99.
I said why not — this could be a good way to recruit young wildland firefighters into our temporary ranks.
With the help of Training Officer Jim Hall and a large number of rank-and-file firefighters from stations and crews all over the forest, the Post was launched. In the spring of 1995 we hosted the first Wildland Firefighter Explorer Academy at Little Tujunga. Now 30 years later the ANF has three Explorer Posts and is hosting their 30th annual academy.
Graduates of the program are now in leadership positions throughout the Forest Service and other agencies. Hats off to all those who have carried the torch and kept this program going over the years — I’m impressed!
FROM GREG:
(currently in travel status)
Just got off the phone with one of my explorers from Class #1 in 1995!
He’s a retired San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy.
We worked on the Angeles for 5 years. The kid was on the cover of the September 1997 Firehouse Magazine. Haven’t talked to him in 25 years!
