Fire department earns award for explorer program

DOWNEY - The Downey Fire Department earned the Sponsor of the Year Award last Friday for its fire explorer program, which is now in its 28th year.The award was presented by Learning for Life, the administrative division of Boy Scouts of America that oversees explorer posts in the L.A. area for ages 16-21. In receiving the award, the Downey Fire Department was recognized as "a shining example of how Explorer programs can succeed at teaching our youth that through motivation and dedication your future is unlimited." A delegation of Downey Fire Department leaders attended to accept the award, including fire chief Lonnie Croom, battalion chief Bruce English, Capt. Scott Devereux and ambulance operator Adam Zipperian. Also in attendance were four current Downey Explorers: Thomas Foskarino, Ricardo Marquez, Ricardo Palomares and Ismael Buenorosto. "As an ongoing example of the positive relationship fostered with Learning for Life, we proudly say that in the DFD our chief, two battalion chiefs, four captains and two engineers were all DFD explorers," the department said in a statement. "Furthermore, the Downey Fire Department currently has several of its former explorers in consideration for its recruitment process for hire."

********** Published: March 7, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 47