The CCFD Fire Explorers Program
The Clark County Fire Department Explorer Program is a paramilitary organization, designed to simulate the experiences and expectations of the Clark County Fire Department (CCFD).The Explorers Program is open to young men and women from the ages of 16 to 21 that are interested in the fire service. These young men and women will have the opportunity to explore the career of a firefighter by participating in fire ground skills, academic studies, team building exercises, and ride-alongs with the CCFD. This program is in place to instill the moral character, teamwork, dedication, and discipline required for the CCFD to be an upstanding member of the Clark County community.
Explorer meetings are held every other Saturday at the CCFD Training Center: 4425 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103
The CCFD Training Center is located on the southeast corner of Tropicana Ave and Arville Road, across from the Orleans Hotel and Casino.
Meetings start promptly at 8:00 a.m., and will be approximately five hours long. Members arriving late will be denied entrance. It is advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to the meeting.
How to Get Started
Getting started is simple. New members are allowed into the CCFD Explorer program during open enrollment periods. Open enrollment and testing is conducting twice a year, normally in June and December.
During open enrollment periods there is an observation day and a test day. New members must attend both days.
Prospective new members must be clean-shaven, with no earrings or visible piercing. The dress code for observation day and test day is business casual.
Observation day gives the new member an opportunity to watch a mock fire scenario put on by the current Explorers.
Test day has three parts. The new member must pass a written test, pass a physical test, and complete an oral interview with advisor staff.
You must complete the online Interest Form (located below), which will be sent to the advisor in charge of recruitment. The recruitment advisor will respond in an email or by phone call about the upcoming testing date.
Clark County Fire Department Training Center
4425 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103
(Google Map)
Interest Form
Please complete the interest form prior to your first class (observation day). This will help the advisory staff. You may still show up to observation day and test day if you do not receive a confirmation email.
Attendance at Explorer meetings is essentially mandatory although excused absences will be considered (school, CCFD events, some family matters). All excused absences have to be approved by Platoon TAC Officers. You must make up excused absence times by volunteering on a one-hour to one-hour basis within 30 days or it will become an unexcused absence. No more than 3 excused absences are allowed, the 4th occurrence is grounds for dismissal from the program.
Unexcused absences are considered “No Call, No Show”. Any single No Call, No Show will constitute grounds for dismissal from the Program.
Physical ability will be tested every 6 months. Explorers are expected to show progress in all areas of the physical ability test. The fire service is a very demanding physical profession; therefore, if the Explorer does not show progress from test to test, they will be counseled progressively with a policy of third offense dismissal from the Program. Appropriate physical conditioning cannot be achieved once every two weeks; therefore, a consistent, self-motivated physical program will be essential for success.
Community service and volunteer time are vital parts of the Clark County Fire Department Explorers Program. Explorers at the red-shirt level or higher will be required to volunteer a minimum of four (4) hours per month. Explorers can either volunteer within or outside of the fire department but all times must be documented.
Ride-alongs at CCFD fire stations are allowed after the successful completion of the 6 month candidate level. Red-shirt level Explorers are required to complete 12hrs of ride-alongs every month.
Levels of being an Explorer |
|
| Candidate* | First six months |
| Recruit** | First six months as a red-shirt (ride along level) |
| Explorer** | Unlimited time |
| Platoon Leader ** | Captain or Lieutenant of a platoon |
| Class Leader** | Must have been a Platoon Officer to be considered |
| * White Shirts | ** Red Shirts | |
The Testing Process
The testing process consists of a written exam, physical test, and an interview. The written test will evaluate the candidate’s ability to retain and answer questions from the “Explorers Entrance Exam Study Packet.”
The Training Center is located at 4425 W. Tropicana Ave. The hours of operation is Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm.
The physical exam will consist of:
- 1 mile run in less than 10 minutes
- 20 Push Ups
- 20 Sit Ups
- 10 Dips
- 1 Pull Up
The physical exam is a Pass/Fail evaluation.
Please bring appropriate gym type attire with you on the testing date. The interview process consists of a series of questions from an interview panel. This process is an opportunity for the Advisor Staff to get to know the candidates. Please bring a professional style of clothes with you on the testing date.
Physical Fitness Test Tips
Tip #1
Practice makes perfect for this test. If you do not get on a workout routine prior to the testing date you hold a strong possibility of failing.
Oral Interview Test Tips
The oral interview will be set up just like the oral interview with the Clark County Fire Department. In this interview you will be asked a series of questions so the advisors are able to get to know the candidate that is testing for the program.
Tip #1
First impressions mean the most in an interview process. Walk in, shake everyone’s hands, look them in the eye, and introduce yourself. Don’t sit until asked to sit.Tip #2
Addressing your advisors as Sir/Ma’am before and after each statement or answer will show the advisors the highest level of respect.Example: Sir, My name is Joe Smith, Sir.
Tip #3
Answer all questions to the best of your ability. Be excited to be in this testing process. Thank the advisors and shake everyone’s hands after the interview is complete.
Supplies
Once a member of the Explorers program, an Explorer has a list of basic supplies that will be required for every meeting.
Forgetting these supplies could result in the explorer not being able to participate in certain activities. All explorer members will need to show up every meeting with good hygiene and a clean shaven. Here is a list of the supplies.
UNIFORM FOR EXPLORERS WHO PASSED THE OPEN ENROLLMENT TEST
- Waiver Signed and Notarized
- Physical By a Licensed Physician
- Clark County Explorer Handbook (See Forms)
- White Crew T-Shirt (No Pocket)
- Navy Blue Dickies (No Cargo Pockets)
- Black Belt
- Black Steel Toe Polishable Boot
- Solid Navy Blue Gym Shorts
- Black Crew-Cut Socks
- Running Shoes (Neutral Color)
- Black Watch
- Water Bottle
- Black Pen
- #2 Pencil
- Black 3-5 Subject Spiral Notebook
- 1-2 inch Red Binder
For more information on the Explorer Program, including upcoming test dates, please see the CCFD Explorers’ site here.
You may also contact the Fire Department’s administrative offices at (702) 455-7311.
If you’re looking for a career in the fire service, check out the Southern Nevada Firefighter Recruitment site.
