Port Chester Looks to Today's Youth for Future Volunteer Firefighters

The Port Chester Fire Department is looking to the youth of today for its volunteer firefighters of tomorrow.

After a period of inactivity, Port Chester's Explorer Post 700 of the Port Chester F.D. has been revitalized, giving local youth from 14 to 18 an opportunity to learn about the role of volunteer firefighters in the community and to take part in a variety of activities.

Charles Nielsen, advisor for Explorer Post 700, said there are more than 15 young men and women from throughout Port Chester who are now participating in the program.

Over the past year, the 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.

Nielsen noted that many past members of the Explorer Post have gone on the serve the Village of Port Chester as volunteer firefighters and that chiefs of the department are former Explorer members.

"As head advisor, my goal is to instill a sense of community service in the post members that will carry on into adulthood," Nielsen said. 

In 2013, the Explorer Post members are planning to attend the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fireman's Parade in West Glens Falls in June and they are planning to participate in Westchester Day at the Fireman’s Home in July - and to make a donation of handmade blankets to the members.

To support the Explorer Post efforts, there's a special event today, March 3, at the Southend Firehouse in Port Chester.

First, there will be a basketball game at 1 p.m. between the Port Chester Fire Department and the Port Chester Police Department at the Don Bosco Center. After the game, there's a spaghetti dinner at the Southend Firehouse from 4 to 7 p.m.

The cost of the dinner, which includes salad, garlic bread, homemade spaghetti and meatballs and dessert, is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10.