The Saukville Fire Department Explorer program was reestablished in 2000 for youths between the ages of 14 & 18, who think they might be interested in a career in the fire service. The members of the Saukville Fire Department agreed to spend the necessary $800.00 - $1,000.00 per Explorer, to purchase turnout gear to fit them. The turnout gear consists of bunker pants, coats, boots, gloves, hoods, helmets, and suspenders; the same gear the adult Firefighters wear, but in smaller sizes. The Explorers then paid the Department back through fundraising and donations from local civic groups and businesses.

As Explorers, the youths are required to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0, and attend at least one monthly training session with firefighters. The Explorers may not respond to any fire calls during school hours, or after 10:00 PM on school nights. On the fire ground, the Explorers are not allowed to enter a burning building, handle a charged hose line, or drive department apparatus, but they provide valuable support services such as changing air bottles, retrieving equipment, and helping with clean-up of equipment and apparatus.

The following description was written in April 2005, by the current members of the Explorer program.

The Explorer Program is based on students working together with firefighters, to learn some of the basics of being a firefighter. The program consists of young, hard working teens from around the community who want to experience what it’s like to be a member of a team. Though we are unable to do the things a real firefighter can do, we still partake in most of the activities and practices.

On each Monday of the month, we have some sort of a practice or meeting. At the practices we take part in activities that deal with ladders, hoses, or even us being the victims for rescue practices. These hands-on experiences help us to understand what it is really like to become a firefighter.

On a fire scene we assist the firefighters with multiple tasks. Some of these tasks include changing air bottles, gathering equipment off the trucks, and cleaning up after everything is finished.

Not only do we have practices and go on fire calls, we also participate in local fundraisers, open houses and parades. All in all, it is a good life experience to take part in, and it is a lot of fun at the same time.

In June of 2002, we saw one of our charter members of the Explorers, Ashley Bayer, turn 18 and join the adult ranks of the Saukville Fire Department. Since then, Rick Kamm, Angela Schlegel, Ron (RJ) Colby Jr., Steve Fischer and Elizabeth Paape have all started WI Firefighter training, to become full fledged firefighters. CONGRATULATIONS!!!