Activities included donning full emergency attire in hot steamy weather
KENT – Dozens of future members of emergency services units learned a variety of life lessons at Putnam’s 17th annual Explorer Training and Campout over the weekend at the Putnam Fire Training Center in Kent.
Erin Scott of Lake Carmel, who coordinated the event in conjunction with the Lake Carmel Fire Department and its Explorer Post, said “dedication, teamwork, leadership and communication skills were all stressed. Over the years we have found that our campout stresses much more than leadership skills and camaraderie. These young people are making long lasting friendships and are the future of the emergency services.”
Scott said since the program’s inception in 2001, the special training has helped to create a chief for the Lake Carmel Fire Department, an assistant chief for the Mahopac Falls Fire Department, numerous officers for the Cold Spring and North Highlands Fire Departments and an assistant chief for the Carmel Fire Department.
Explorers are a division of the Boy Scouts comprised of boys and girls aged 14 to 18 who train with and are sponsored by local fire departments. The future EMS providers learn basic firefighting and first aid skills from dedicated instructors and support staff.
Throughout the weekend, Explorer posts from Orange and Rockland counties along with Explorers from the Fire Department of New York City joined Putnam’s future emergency responders.
Scott had special thanks to a number of local businesses for providing food for the entire weekend as well as donations from the Putnam Fireman’s Association and Putnam Fire Chief’s Association. She also praised the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services for its support.
Commissioner of Emergency Services Kenneth Clair and County Executive MaryEllen Odell stopped by the session Sunday and commended not only Scott but the dozens of volunteers from the Lake Carmel, Kent, Carmel, Brewster and Putnam Valley departments who donated their time throughout the weekend.
The campout was again dedicated to Robert McMahon, former Putnam commissioner of Emergency Services and a retired Lake Carmel fire chief who was the founding supporter of the event. McMahon lost his battle with cancer in October 2013.
A portion of the registration fees collected from the scouts will be donated later this year to the Robert McMahon Scholarship Fund at St. James Church in Carmel.
