By Whitney Donohue

Moapa Valley Progress

Logandale Fire Station 73 is well on its way to becoming a Boy Scout Explorer Post. Leadership at the station has been tossing around the idea for the last four years, but as soon as they have five teens signed up, they will be an official post.

The Explorer program is administered through the Boy Scouts of America, although it is a program that welcomes both boys and girls. The program itself is delivered through businesses, government agencies, and organizations. The Explorer program delivers hands on career experience for the teens involved.

Station 73 Chief Scott Beckstrand believes many people in the valley don’t realize that the fire departments out here are all volunteer.

“Not only do we want to provide practical experience to the scouts, we also want families to become involved, hopefully volunteering themselves,” Beckstrand explained. “I volunteered because my son was interested in becoming a fire fighter. In the process I’ve been able to help my community, and I want to pass that on.”

The Station 73 Explorer program is open to teens ages 16 and 17. While the scouts won’t be able to fight real fires, they will be involved in every other aspect of the station. If the scouts decide they want to continue, they can sign on as volunteers as soon as they turn 18.

All of the training is through the Boy Scouts of America, with emphasis on fire fighting and EMT training. For more information, contact Scott Beckstrand at 397-6039, Brian Burris at 702-592-6672, or Don DeCaria at 398-7738.