Port Chester Fire Department Explorers Named Top Youth Group of the Year

A youth group designed to show local teenagers what its like to be a volunteer in the Port Chester Fire Department has won a top statewide honor for community service performed by its members.

Port Chester firefighter Charles Nielsen said the younsters who are part of PCFD Explorer Post 700 are excited to have been named 2013 youth group of the year by the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY).

With the honor, members of the group will be going to the FASNY annual convention, set for Aug. 20 in Albany.

Nielsen said he got the news on Friday that the Port Chester Explorer Post was selected. The award comes after members of the post have been involved in a variety of community volunteer efforts in addition to their training with Port Chester Fire Department members to learn about firefighting.

In 2012, the Fairville Volunteer Fire Department Explorer Post 751 was named Youth Group of the Year. FASNY also recognizes other volunteers for their efforts, including naming a Firefighter of the Year. In 2012, that honor went to Andrew Kolesar of the West Haverstraw Fire Department in Rockland County for rescuing a fellow firefighter who was trapped in a burning home that had been improperly divided up inside to create a rooming house.

Over the past year, the Port Chester Explorer members have taken part in community activities that included bell ringing for the Salvation Army, visiting and donating to the Hudson Valley Fireman's home, assisting at Blythedale Children’s Hospital Summer Carnival and Christmas Party, and making more than 100 activity kits for the children of Blythedale Children’s Hospital.

The Explorer Post members also participate in firefightings drills, parades and assist the Port Chester Volunteer Fire Department members at emergency scenes. Recently, there was a fundraising basketball game between the PCFD and the Port Chester Police Department to support the Explorer program.

The program, Nielsen said, has experienced a resurgence recently and has more than 15 members, who include young men and young women from 14 to 18. Coming up: The Explorers plan on being part of a drill with PCFD members on Monday.