FIRE/EMERGENCY SERVICES
PROFICIENCY AWARDS
With Exploring posts throughout the United States operated by local, state, and national
fire/emergency services agencies, variances in training exist. The award program has
been developed to provide a nationally standardized recognition and proficiency award
program.
PLAN
The fire/emergency services Exploring Proficiency Awards program provides an opportunity for posts and their
Explorers to earn a series of recognition items that acknowledge their fire/emergency services Exploring
experience. These recognize community service, fire prevention, fire/emergency services service, fire/emergency
services training, emergency preparedness, tenure, and Explorer of the Year.
Each proficiency area is intended to recognize experience, tenure, training, or leadership. These awards are
intended to be worn on the fire/emergency services Explorer uniform only.
1. Fire/Emergency Services Training
Recognizes the accumulation of 60 hours of training in the following areas:
• History of fire or emergency services (1 hour)
• The contemporary emergency services or fire services role and the role of an
Explorer in the program (2 hours)
• Leadership training and team building (4 hours)
• Youth Protection Training
• Communications with portable radios (2 hour)
• Physical fitness (4 hours)
• Fire behavior and suppression (8 hours)
• Community service projects such as smoke detectors, weather radios, home safety
inspections or fire sprinkler inspections (8 hours)
• Basic hand line operations and fire ground safety (4 hours)
• First responder trainer with basic emergency medical technician training and basic
life support training (8 hours)
• Human relations (4 hours)
• Public education such as open house, ride arsons program, assist in special events
(6 hours)
• Community emergency preparedness (4 hours)
• Arson Investigation (2 hours)
• Ladder and knot types and uses (2 hours)
• Ambulance or fire engine operations (3 hour)
• Role of Explorer in ambulance or fire engine operations (2 hours)
• Assist with equipment (2 hours)
• Vehicle placement on scene and water supply (1 hour)
• PT care and use of personal protective equipment (6 hours)
• Salvage skills (tarps, runners, etc.) (2 hour)
• SCBA components and use (2 hours)
• Search and rescue—reason and techniques (6 hours)
• Forcible entry techniques and application (2 hour)
2. Community Service
Acknowledges 100 hours of community service. Service must be preapproved and
logged by the Advisor. The recognition is a blue and yellow commendation bar, No.
04019.
3. Fire Prevention
Includes 8 hours of fire prevention instruction as well as additional hours of training in
areas such as fire safety survey. The award is presented to Explorers who participate in
at least three departmental fire prevention projects with a total of 25 hours of activity.
The recognition is a green and gold commendation bar, No. 04020.
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4. Fire and Emergency Service
Includes assistance to the department in areas such as records, communications, data
processing, etc. It recognizes an accumulation of 60 hours of service. The recognition is
a red and gold commendation bar, No. 04021.
5. Emergency Preparedness
Certifies that the Explorer has received training in advanced first aid and CPR; has
received training in how the post would assist in a disaster, such as flood, tornado,
hurricane, etc.; and has participated in at least one homeland defense or communitywide disaster training exercise. This is recognized by a red and white commendation bar,
No. 04022.
6. Tenure
Awarded to those Explorers who complete one year of satisfactory service to the post. It
is recognized with a red commendation bar which is worn with 1 yr service pen. No.
04023.
7. Perfect Attendance
Recognizes attendance at each scheduled meeting of the post during the preceding year.
The recognition is a yellow and white commendation bar, No. 04024.
8. Drug Abuse Prevention
Acknowledges proficiency in drug abuse prevention and youth protection training and
service. Requires 6 hours of advanced training outlined in Drug Abuse Prevention for
Teens (PDF - 3.7MB) and 30 hours of service in at least two different drug abuse
prevention projects. The recognition is a blue and silver commendation bar, No. 04026.
9. National Fire/Emergency Services Explorer Conference Bar
Presented to Explorers who attend a national fire/emergency services conference and a
sanction regional conference. The recognition is a dark green commendation bar, No.
04030.
10. Explorer of the Year
Each post will be encouraged to recognize one Explorer each year. This Explorer should
be selected on the basis of dependability, attitude, attendance, and contributions to the
post, department, and community. Explorers of the Year are obviously recognized for
their outstanding performances and personal attributes. The recognition is a blue bar
with a gold "E," No. 04025.
Recognition
Each award or recognition is represented by a fire/emergency services-type commendation ribbon that
affixes to a metal holder bar. Research has determined that the items, colors, and contributions do not
conflict with either fire department or emergency service department commendation bars. However, it also
revealed that a small number of posts are not permitted to wear any type of medal, ribbon, or patch on
their uniforms apart from their departmental patches. These posts, as well as those that want a more
lasting recognition, can use the certificate of proficiency. It contains a space for signatures of the Advisor
and department head.
Distribution
The commendation bars, backing pins, and certificates are available through local Learning for Life service
centers as well as through the National Distribution Center, toll-free phone 800-323-0732. The post
Advisor assumes responsibility for Explorers meeting the proficiency award criteria. An Advisor may
purchase a quantity of the items and distribute them as merited.
Cost
Retail cost of the commendation bars is 75¢ each. The backs are available at 70¢ for a single, 75¢ for a
double, and 80¢ for a triple. The certificates are 35¢ each, and the wall chart is $1.65. Prices are subject
to change.
ORDER FORM
A form for ordering these awards may be downloaded from this site.
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FIRE/EMERGENCY SERVICES EXPLORER
PROFICIENCY AWARDS
SPECIAL ORDER FORM
Account number
Source document number
⎫⎫⎫⎫⎫⎫⎫⎫
Please provide the following information: Date ____________________ Your order number
Charge to ___________________________________________ Ship to
Address ____________________________________________ Address
City ____________________ State ____ Zip ____________
City ____________________ State ____ Zip
ORDERS ARE TO BE MAILED TO THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER ADDRESS LISTED BELOW.
Catalog
Number
Size or
Color
Quantity
Each
F.O.
Item
04018
04019
04020
04021
04022
04023
04024
04025
04026
04027
04028
04029
04030
Each Price
Dollars Cents
Item Name or Description
Fire/Emergency Services Training
Community Service
Fire Prevention
Fire and Emergency Service
Emergency Preparedness
Tenure
Perfect Attendance
Explorer of the Year
Drug Abuse Prevention
Backing Pins—single
Backing Pins—double
Backing Pins—triple
National Fire/Emergency Services Exploring
Conference
Certificate
33727A
Total Price
Dollars Cents
.89
.89
.89
.89
.89
.89
.89
.89
.89
.89
.99
1.19
.89
1.49
TOTAL
Learning for Life Representative Signature
Title
Send order to:
National Distribution Center
2109 Westinghouse Blvd.
P.O. Box 7143
Charlotte, NC 28241-7143
800-323-0732
Domestic Shipping Charges
Order Amount
Shipping
Up to $50
$7.50
$50.01 to $100.00
$9.95
$100.01 to $150.00
$13.95
$150.01 and over
9% of total order
Most orders ship within 48 hours,
Monday through Friday
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