Local Explorers Lead On at Academy by Tracey Martinez - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Local Explorers Lead On at Academy

By Tracey Martinez, Community Writer
December 23, 2015 at 08:36am. Views: 260

For 14 years now young men and women have arrived at the Fort Irwin National Training Center for the annual Explorer Academy. Ran by the Inland Empire Fire Explorer Association (IEFEA), the Academy is a five day camp where Explorers participate in a number of drills, get hands on experience, and decide if a career in firefighting is what they want to pursue. This year, two San Bernardino County Fire Explorers were in high ranking leadership roles. Jacob Sobrito, from the Lucerne Valley Post, will be serving as Explorer Chief. From Victorville, David Hernandez achieved the rank of Division Chief. “This is a big achievement for Jacob,” said Explorer Coordinator and Captain Jay Hausman, “It’s the highest ranking position at the Academy.” The IEFEA is made up of over 35 local programs in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Sobrito was selected out of 58 explorers who attended the Leadership Academy this September at Mile High Pines Camp, located in Angelus Oaks. This is his fourth time attending the academy and his third time in a leadership role. Hernandez is the Chief of the Victorville program and has been involved in the post for almost four years now. He was a part of what the IEFEA calls the “6-pack.” The 6-pack is made up of the Explorer Chief, an Assistant Chief, and four Division Chiefs. Each of the Division Chiefs has a specialty in either Safety, Training, Logistics, or as a Public Information Officer. Hernandez was in charge of Safety and paired with a professional firefighter safety officer during the Academy. This year’s Academy offered training in three specific areas over three days of exercises. Explorers practiced drills such as self-rescue and how to rescue a down firefighter. They participated in a live structure fire which taught them about fire behavior and attacking fires, and learned about flammable liquids and gases and how to handle situations where these chemicals are burning. The County Fire Explorer Program was open to young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21. Explorers participated in a wide variety of firefighter training, while the experience is most beneficial for those who decide to become professional firefighters, it helped those who end up going into different careers. The program taught discipline, motivation, communication, loyalty, and student participants must maintain a 2.5 GPA minimum.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:13am. Views: 1219

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra celebrates its founding in style with a Roaring Twenties-themed gala fundraiser on October 17 at 5p.m. The orchestra invites supporters to celebrate the community, music, and legacy it has built over nearly a century.

Photo Courtesy of: Colton Joint Unified School District

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 300

Music students at Colton High School will soon enjoy a larger space with more storage, practice rooms, better acoustics and better space for creating, learning and performing. Construction on the Buildings is Set to Start in 2027

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:05am. Views: 845

State, Local Education Leaders Highlight Nearly $162 Million in CalKIDS Scholarships Available to San Bernardino County Students.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 496

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:28pm. Views: 366

San Bernardino Drug Take Back Day 2026, prescription medication disposal, San Bernardino Police Department, October 24, medication safety, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Community collection efforts offer families a convenient way to remove unwanted prescription drugs from their homes while promoting public safety and protecting the environment.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI-generated illustrations

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:24pm. Views: 283

Long before modern freeways reshaped the Inland Empire, the railroad helped establish San Bernardino as a transportation center. Trains brought passengers, goods, workers and new business opportunities into the region, connecting a growing Southern California community with destinations across the country.

Photo Courtesy of: California Historical Society Collection, USC Libraries Special Collections.

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:22pm. Views: 351

As Redlands continues to grow, its surviving citrus groves offer a living connection to the industry that shaped the city's neighborhoods, economy and identity. Orange trees heavy with fruit line a grove in Redlands around 1900, with snow-covered Mount San Bernardino visible in the distance. The photograph documents the citrus industry that played a central role in the city's early development.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:19pm. Views: 391

The City of Redlands will host Plane-or-Treat at Redlands Municipal Airport on October 25, featuring trick-or-treating, entertainment and family activities. An AI-generated illustration

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 652

Festive University of Redlands Homecoming celebration, with alumni, students, and families gathered on campus wearing maroon Bulldogs apparel. A bulldog mascot greets attendees while cheerleaders and a marching band perform near decorated tents and balloons, with university buildings and mountains in the background.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 305

Moreno Valley is preparing to celebrate one of Mexico's most meaningful cultural traditions with an evening dedicated to remembrance, family and community.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 294

Moreno Valley Unified School District is continuing its parent education efforts with an October workshop focused on social-emotional learning, positive behavior and bullying prevention.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustrations

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 363

A new chapter in Moreno Valley's cultural development is taking shape as the city introduces residents to its Museum & ArtSpace, a destination intended to bring visual art, creative experiences and community engagement into greater focus.

--> -->