Explorer Post 247
The Austin-Travis County EMS Explorer Post 247 is an organization for youth aged 14-21 years living in Austin and Travis County to learn about careers in Emergency Medical Services through training classes and ambulance ride-alongs.
Austin-Travis County EMS is proud to sponsor Explorer Post 247, and proud to make a positive impact on the lives of Austin's youth. Explorer Post 247 was established in October 2010 as a joint effort between Austin-Travis County EMS and the Scouting America Learning for Life program. Post 247 provides youth of Austin and surrounding areas the opportunity to explore a career in Emergency Medical Services. In addition to career exploration, the Explorer Post is designed to provide a link between the academic and career worlds and provides participants with a wide variety of real-world skills. These include character development, self-confidence, leadership skills, and social development. The Post provides youth the opportunity to network among future peers in the working world, provides access to volunteer community service, and encourages group collaboration and teamwork.
If you would like more information about career exploring visit the pages for Learning for Life and the Capitol Area Council of Scouting America.
If you are interested in becoming part of Austin-Travis County EMS Explorer Post 247 and reside in Austin or Travis County you can submit an application. We have made changes to the application to streamline the process as well as eliminate the excessive waiting list that we have experienced in past years. There will be a limited number of candidate spots that will be offered each year during the month of May.
Requirements
- First, the age range for eligibility is 14 (and have completed the 8th grade) through 20 years old. You must also have access to transportation to attend post meetings and events. Must be physically and psychologically able to perform the basic job functions associated with working in Emergency Medical Services. Must not have any convictions above the level of a class B misdemeanor. Must not have any criminal charges pending.
- Second, there is a grade requirement for Explorers enrolled in high school. You will need to provide us with a copy of your most recent grade report. Passing grades must be maintained to continue in the program.
- Third, candidates will be invited to attend meetings to get a feel for what we do and if you still are interested. Candidates for the post need to plan to attend a minimum of 4 meetings over the “summer”. Meetings are held every Monday night (except on school holidays, excluding summer break) from 7p-9p at 4201 Ed Bluestein Blvd. There is a continued attendance requirement for meetings once you are an official member.
- Lastly, Explorer candidates AND at least one parent or guardian must then attend a mandatory meeting to be held near the end of summer/beginning of the school year to receive a formal introduction to the post and fill out the necessary paperwork required by Scouting America and ATCEMS. During that meeting we will further cover information regarding our ride-out program.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Our ride-out program is currently on-hold. We are working with our ATCEMS Executive Staff as well as Scouting America to make sure everything is in order and hope to bring that program back as soon as possible. So, if that is a big factor in joining the post, now you have all the current information.
The annual timeline is as follows:
June-April Applications open for the following year
Mid-End of May Offer candidate probational spots
June-August Candidates must attend minimum of 4 meetings to get feel and decide if they are interested in joining
August Offer official spots to candidates & hold mandatory parent meeting to go over post and ride out expectations and signing of official paperwork
PLEASE NOTE: If you are not selected during the candidate process in May, you will need to resubmit an application during the application acceptance period (June-April) to be considered again the following year.
If you would like to submit an application for Explorer Post 247, click the Register button below and complete the online application form.
Youth Resources
Current Explorer Post members can log into VicNet and add hours that they may have missed. All hours entered this way are audited for accuracy.