Explorers from NCFPD participate in Fire and Safety Exposition

The June 4 Fire and Safety Exposition which was part of the San Diego County Fair included participation from the North County Fire Protection District's (NCFPD) Explorer troop.

Ten NCFPD Explorers, along with two from the Carlsbad Fire Department, participated in the Fire and Safety Exposition along with North County Fire Protection District firefighter/paramedic Rob Hager and NCFPD captain Anthony Fieri. Hager coordinated the fire department's Explorers activity.

"It's a great opportunity for our Explorers to network with the other departments," Hager said.

In 1995 the Cajon Speedway, the Burn Institute, and local fire departments collaborated for an annual night which included fundraising and promotions for the Burn Institute, a pre-race parade of fire trucks, an American flag raised from a fire engine ladder for the Star-Spangled Banner, and a Firefighters Destruction Derby. The Burn Institute and local firefighters also collaborated for an annual exposition and burn run at Qualcomm Stadium.

Cajon Speedway closed after the 2004 season, but in 2010 the Fire and Safety Exposition was moved to the San Diego County Fair and the Firefighters Destruction Derby returned after a five-year absence. Some changes due to the configuration of the Del Mar Arena were necessary. The parade of fire trucks takes place earlier in the day and now also includes ambulances, the flag is not raised from a ladder inside the covered arena, and the cars are divided into heats.

This year, the parade of fire trucks and ambulances took place at approximately noon and the initial heats began at 1 p.m. The Explorers helped with traffic control as the emergency vehicles were paraded through the east part of the fairgrounds where the Del Mar Arena is located. The parade included North County Fire Protection District engine 1132 and also included a Camp Pendleton fire truck and a San Diego County Regional Fire Authority truck, which serves DeLuz.

The tradition of firefighters carrying a boot for donations to the Burn Institute dates back to the Cajon Speedway days. The Explorers also carried boots for donations both elsewhere on the fairgrounds and in the arena just prior to the heats.

"It's volunteering our time for a good cause," Hager said.

Due to the fire in Fallbrook that afternoon, the Explorers and professional firefighters left shortly after the completion of the heats and did not remain for the last chance heat or the final.