North Shelby students considering careers in firefighting and emergency medical response will get a chance to begin hands-on training with professionals Jan. 25.

The North Shelby County Fire and Emergency Medical District will hold an information session for its upcoming Fire and Emergency Medical Services Exploring Program.

The explorer program will focus on children ages 14-20 who are interested in one day serving in the emergency responder field, according to North Shelby Fire Chief Michael O’Connor.

“Exploring is a fun and informative, hands-on program that will give you the opportunity to experience a career in firefighting and EMS service,” O’Connor said.

The department will kick off the explorer program during a “first-nighter” meeting Jan. 25 from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the department’s No. 2 Fire Station, which is next to the Shell gas station near the intersection of Alabama 119 and Caldwell Mill Road.

During the session, North Shelby Fire and EMA officials will explain careers in the emergency responder field, and will provide information about the explorer program.

“As an explorer, you will learn important skills, such as team building, leadership, safety, CPR, first aid, fire prevention and fire suppression, all while you learn about a career that interests you,” O’Connor wrote in a press release.

The department will collect a $65 registration fee from those who decide to join the explorer program during the informational meeting. The fee will cover the enrollment fee, T-shirt and other program-related expenses.

Department officials are urging anyone interested in attending the information session to e-mail lawsonr@northshelbyfire.com, or call Lt. Robert Lawson at 965-8170. For more information on the explorers program, visit Learningforlife.org and click the exploring icon.