The final date will be posted when it is scheduled. If you are interested in becoming a member, be sure to keep an eye on this page, or send me an e-mail. I will add you to our mailing list and an e-mail will be sent out when open enrollment is scheduled.
Post 190 has 1 open enrollment period per year, in August. If you are interested in becoming a member, please visit this site regularly so that you can be updated as to what date open enrollment is. It will be posted on this page, on our calendar.
In order to be considered for membership, you MUST attend an open enrollment night. New members will not be considered between these periods. This is to ensure all members are on the same training level, as well as ensure a fair opportunity for new members to join. Membership is currently limited to 15 people. If we reach this limit, a waiting list will be set up. More about the waiting list will be explained to you if we ever have a need to use it.
There are a few requirements once you are a member that you must follow:
- Must attend 80%+ of our meetings
- Must maintain a "C" average in school, with all passing grades
- Must follow all rules set by the Post
- Must present your report card to the Post advisors
- Must be properly dressed at all functions
- Must be 14 but not yet 21
- $10.00 yearly dues
Anyone not following the requirements of the Post may be asked to leave a meeting, or leave the Post. More about the rules and regulations of the Post will be given at the "Open Enrollment" meeting.
Meetings are currently held every Monday from 7:00 - 9:00 at Henry County Fire Dept HQ (Industrial Blvd, across from OB's). Special events and meetings are scheduled occasionally, and will be reflected on our calendar.
There is actually very little required to become a member of Post 190, but there is alot to getting the most out of your membership within this post. The biggest and most important factor in making this an enjoyable experience for everyone is your participation.
The purpose behind this Explorer Post is to provide young men and women an opportunity to learn about the fire service. This is accomplished by allowing members to attend weekly meetings in which we learn about the many facets of the fire dept. While attending these meetings you will receive training much like a firefighter who attends "rookie school". Most of this training is hands-on, but there is some time spent in the classroom learning from presentations, videos and books. The ultimate goal for members of the post is to earn the privelege of coming to the fire station and responding to calls on the fire truck.
In order to earn this privelege, you must accomplish several tasks, and prove that you have learned some of the basics of the fire service and fire fighting. First, you are given a set of "check-offs" that must be completed. Every certified firefighter in the state of Georgia must complete "Firefighter 1" training. This is a list of tasks and skills that he/she must prove they know. They cover many topics including ropes & knots, ladders, extinguishers, search & rescue, basic first aid, and many more. It is from this list that we have made our own list. There are about 60 check-offs that you must complete. This list can be found on the "Files and Links" page. Click that link, then scroll down to the "Check-offs" section. The list of check-offs can be downloaded there, as well as the complete list of Firefighter I check-offs used by the state. Don't worry, the list may appear daunting at first, but it isn't as hard as it may appear. Several of the check-offs can be completed at the same time. If you work hard, and give a little extra time, you can have the check-offs completed in no time. It will be your responsibility to print a copy of the check-offs and have them at each meeting.
 After you have completed the check-offs, you will be given a test. The test is a 100 question, multiple choice test over several chapters in the "Essentials" manual. This is the same book that recruits use while in rookie school.
After you have done all this, you are responsible for getting your uniform. The rest of the gear you will need will be assigned to you. You must also receive a Hepatitis B vaccination from your personal physician, or sign a waiver stating you refuse to get one.
Once you have completed all of these tasks, you have earned the privelege of riding at one of the stations. This privelege comes with some pretty heavy responsibility. While at the fire station, and on emergency scenes, you will be expected to conduct yourself as a professional. The fire dept is always in view of the public, and your actions can influence the image someone has of the fire dept and of this Explorer Post.
 Explorers will be involved at most emergency scenes. Although the firefighting will be left to the firefighters, there are many roles in which an Explorer will be expected to assist. While at accident, medical emergencies, or fire scenes, you may be asked to function in a variety of support roles. This could include setting up a rehab area for firefighters, retrieving tools, or assisting in accountability. Although all these jobs are secondary jobs, they are very important. That is why it is important for you as an Explorer to have a thorough knowledge of basic fire dept operations.
Over 80% of the calls handled by Henry County Fire Dept are medical calls. This is a very important number to remember when considering whether or not to join Post 190. Although Explorers aren't currently allowed to ride ambulances, fire engines routinely respond with the ambulance to provide assistance. Some of these calls are traumatic in nature, meaning they may involve broken bones, blood, or possibly death. It is at these calls that Explorers are asked to maintain a maturity level beyond their years.
The opportunities within this Post abound! There are leadership positions that are filled by the post members. Currently we have 1 of each: Chief, Asst Chief, Captain, & Lieutenant. We may fill a 2nd Captain & Lt spot in the near future. There will also be a need for a treasurer, secretary & possibly a historian in the future.
The post may also conduct activities that aren't fire dept related also. Bowling nights, & camping trips are a couple of the suggestions we have received so far. There are also regional competitions that we may attend, including an Explorer convention and competition in Gatlinburg, and a Fire Explorer convention and competition at Texas A&M. We may also make use of the facilities within the Flint River Council of the Boy Scouts.
Your experience within this post can be very rewarding. You will learn skills that you could use for the rest of your life. You can develop personal traits such as leadership that will benefit you no matter what career you chose. You will develop friendships that could last a lifetime.
We have tried very hard to keep the out of pocket expense for becoming a member to a minimum, but unfortunately, we have to make the Explorer responsible for certain costs. If cost is an issue in becoming a member, please contact one of the Post Advisors for help in purchasing some of the necessary materials.
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