The Fire Department briefed the Public Safety Committee on its plan to implement Fire Explorer Program Post 3100 in FY27, providing youth ages 14–21 with structured exposure to fire service careers through classes, monthly meetings, station visits, and supervised ride‑alongs. The program will launch outreach in early August 2026, hold an orientation on August 28, 2026, and formally begin in fall 2026, starting with up to six Explorers and potentially expanding after evaluation of capacity. Although the report notes no separate fiscal impact and states the program will be absorbed within the department’s FY27 operating budget, it outlines a multi-component training and mentorship initiative requiring curriculum materials, safety and youth protection training, scheduling, and ongoing program management. This presents a pre‑RFP opportunity for organizations that provide youth public safety curriculum, simulation tools, scheduling/volunteer management platforms, and training supports to engage with Fire leadership as they finalize the program framework and scale participation in later years.

Program framework is internally developed and reviewed by City Attorney; no external vendor is named...