Explorer Post #881
1973 - Original group of Explorer Post #881. July 4, 1974 - Brad Carmichael of Explorer Post #881. 1978 - Allison, Cowley, Smith, Klassen, Simpson, Carmichael, M.B. Corn, Michael L. Rudd, Larry Magdaleno, Kinney, Bishop, Pressnall, and Jim Arnice.In the spring of 1972, former Chief of Operations for the Wichita Fire Department, R.R. McClintock, contacted Firefighter R.L. White in regard to the possibility of inaugurating a Boy Scout explorer post sponsored by the Wichita Fire Department. As the result of a survey conducted among high-school and junior-high-age sutdents, it was determined that there was an interest in the Fire Service as a career. The post was designated Explorer Post #881 by the Boy Scout Council and recruitment started. Initially eleven men applied for the post and it was evident that a second advisor would be needed; Firefighter M.B. Corn volunteered to act in that capacity.
1973 - Original group of Explorer Post #881.
July 4, 1974 - Brad Carmichael of Explorer Post #881.
1978 - Allison, Cowley, Smith, Klassen, Simpson, Carmichael, M.B. Corn, Michael L. Rudd, Larry Magdaleno, Kinney, Bishop, Pressnall, and Jim Arnice.
The original members of the post were David Mackamul, Dan Bader, Barry Hus, Gary Mackamul, Jim Steward, Mark Powell, Ron Graham, and Bruce Mackamul.
In training these young men, essentially the same procedures and exercises given the rookie firefighters of the Wichita Fire Department were used under close supervision by the firefighter advisors. The next fall, the members of Post #881 were sent to assist firefighters at the scene of the Graham Paper Co. fire. Although they were not permitted to go into danger areas, they provided service in running errands, locating equipment and rolling hose. Later they responded to grass fires, other building fires, and acted as spotters during drowning recovery operations. After the retirement of Chief McClintock in 1976, Deputy Chief of Operations Tom Page assumed the position of representative of the Wichita Fire Department.
Like their older brother firefighters, they became involved in fire prevention activities, giving fire extinguisher demonstrations, taking part in displays, and talking to church and school groups. Tours through the Oklahoma Fire Museum, McConnell Air Force Base, and Mid-Continent Airport gave the Explorers a comprehensive view of the Fire Service. Also, the members of the post have taken part in Fire Service Recognition Day, annual Scout Show, and provided fire protection at Lake Afton during the Fourth of July.
Firefighter M.L. Rudd joined the post as an advisor when R.L. White quit for other Scout activities. In 1975, two additional advisors , Fire Reserve Larry Magdaleno and former Explorer Post member Jim Arnce, now of the Sedgwick County Fire Department, became active in Post #881 activities. Currently there are 13 young men in the Explorer Post and they have recently acquired a 1941 Ford fire apparatus through the Civil Preparedness office. As soon as it has been equipped, it will go on track and the members will be able to respond to fires with their own firefighting rig (regular traffic).
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