By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Fire Explorers have continued their success and in two previous competitions in Coweta County, Ga. and Trussville, the team took home 12 awards collectively.

The team of five Helena Fire Explorers were honored at the Monday, April 11 Helena City Council Meeting and showed off some of the trophies and awards gathered at previous competitions.

Some of the awards included third place in hose advancement, third place in spinal immobilization, third place in z-rig, third place in bunker gear relay, second place in bunker gear relay and first place in room search.

Helena Firefighter Bill Mayfield helps with the Fire Explorers program and discussed the recent success during the council meeting.

“First thing I want to say is we have a great team in the Helena Explorers,” said Mayfield. “They’ve competed in two competitions, one in Coweta County, Ga. and recently in Trussville in various skills and events that are related to actual skills that they may have to use someday as a firefighter. They took six awards at each event, which is wonderful. I think that what we got out of it the most is that every single one of them participated in some event that they won in. All the way from rescue skills to doing a z-rig.”

The Helena Fire Explorers are also heavily involved in the community at events such as Helena First Friday, Helena Market Days and more.

In the past, the explorers have set up a space at different events and taught numerous individuals and families about fire safety basics, and this year they intend to branch out.

“We’re going to expand some this year,” said Mayfield. “We really focused on kitchen and fire safety this past year and there are so many other emergencies such as seizures, choking and what to do when you have a car crash and other common emergencies.”

Members of the Helena Council all commended the Helena Fire Explorers on their success, including Helena Councilman Mike Jones joking that the explorer’s will “need to find a bigger trophy case.”

The Helena Fire Explorers is an organization designed for teenager’s ages 14-20 that are interested in pursing a career in fire service.

Those wanting more information about the Helena Fire Explorer’s can contact Lt. Heath Bartlett at 663-5809 ext. 7.