Scout Trainees Ride to Lessons at Fire Scenes

The Explorer Scout program of the Los Angeles Fire Department has given Phil Fligiel a view of life unseen by most Chatsworth 17-year-olds.

“I’ve seen people die right in front of me,” said Fligiel, who helps fire crews in downtown and South-Central Los Angeles.

Fligiel, a senior at Chatsworth High School, has spent more than 2,500 hours riding with city firefighters during his two years in Explorer Scout Post 100 at the Van Nuys fire station.

To become a Fire Explorer Scout, applicants must pass physical agility and oral tests and take six months of firefighting training. Once a Scout is certified to accompany working firefighters, he can request permission from his adviser to ride with an engine company.

At fires, Explorers have such tasks as checking to see that hoses are properly connected, guarding against theft and vandalism, setting up lights and fans, cleaning up after the fire and driving small trucks and cars on errands, said Jim Carson, firefighter and Explorer adviser.

“They can do everything but what they want to do, which is to get in there and fight fires,” he said.

Los Angeles City Battalion Chief Melvin Leydecker, the coordinator of the program since it began 10 years ago, said the Explorers “are not exposed to any hazardous activity.” There are about 100 Explorer Scouts and 11 participating fire stations throughout the city.

“Phil has turned himself into a strong, confident, committed adult,” Carson said. “In a way it’s a shame the poor kid is only 17 years old. He probably knows a lot more than rookies on the job.”

Scouts also can ride with paramedics, the emergency medical arm of the Fire Department. Paramedic Explorers are allowed to help with such tasks as applying simple bandages, monitoring instruments and holding intravenous fluid containers.

Christi Martin, 19, of Woodland Hills, is one of five Scouts at Post 100 certified to ride with paramedics and intends to make it her career.