High-risk ventures

 
Nine Explorer Scouts and three chapter advisors returned home from Arizona recently fully energized about law enforcement and emergency services.
"There's always something new to learn," says Rick Ellingson, founder of the local Explorer Scout group in 1988. Explorer Scouts range in age from 14-20.
The local Explorers are tagged Emergency Services Mentoring and previously went under the name of Emergency Services Explorer Post 007. The name was recently changed.
Last month's trip to Chandler, Ariz., to attend the Chandler Tactical Assault Competition was Ellingson's 12th trip. Ellingson, Dan Peach and Christina Conati chaperoned the group and worked with the Explorer Scouts in the national SWAT competition.
Peach and Ellingson are both part-time officers in Blooming Prairie and in Janesville. Peach can also be found working at B to Z Hardware in Blooming Prairie. Ellingson is a full-time paramedic for the Gold Cross Ambulance Service. Conati is a 911 dispatcher.
Explorers are between ages 14-20, and they typically join the program to find a career path, says Peach.
Members of Post 007 are from Owatonna, Blooming Prairie, Ellendale, Medford, Waterville and Janesville. They represent Steele, Rice, Waseca and LeSueur counties. 
Peach and Ellingson say the Explorers purpose is to teach and show youths what is out there for emergency services career opportunities.
The Explorers, mentored by Ellingson, Peach and Conati, came back with two trophies, a second place and third place they earned in competition at Chandler.
The competition on Jan. 18, 19 and 20 featured 75 police departments and more than 1,000 Explorers. Some of their competition represented members of the Las Vegas and Los Angeles police departments. 
The EMS group took a 15-passenger van on the trip west. 
The Explorers drove to Las Vegas and then toured the area. "It was really fun to see the kids' response; many had never been to Vegas," said Peach. 
Peach has been affiliated with the Explorers since age 16. He is now 24.
Ellingson became involved with the explorers when he worked for Gold Cross Ambulance 31 years ago. Ellingson said Explorer Scouts helps young people become a better adult and it also may direct them to a job in emergency services.
"I love teaching kids and giving them the opportunities to explore other areas," Ellingson says. "This Explorers learn team work which is very important in life," he believes.
With the Explorers, the young people not only work in the classroom setting but more importantly, in hands-on situations, Ellingson explained.
"I enjoy seeing the young Explorers have an eye opening experience in the competition," remarked Peach.
The Chandler Police department has sponsored the tactical training the past 21 years.
The numerous events where local Explorers were competitors and included active shooter, officer down rescue, tactical EMS, vehicle assault, hostage negotiations and hostage rescue scenario.
More than 20 different SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) team scenarios were offered to the combatants.
Explorer 007 took a second place in tactical EMS and a third place in the officer down rescue category. In this competition, the Explorers rescue an officer in a squad car and eliminate the threat.
The local explorers traveled the farthest of any team. Most of the teams came from the southwestern states.
While at the competition, the Explorers had the opportunity to meet with other police officers, including those with the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Following the competition, the young Explorers and their advisors motored to Los Angeles where they visited Santa Monica Beach. They also toured Hollywood.
"They learned a lot in law enforcement and even more about every day life skills," said Peach.
The Explorers also learned how to change the brakes on their van. "The brakes were grinding and since we had extra time, I told them we were going to change the brakes,” Peach said. 
The 007 Explorers meet every Sunday with the location being rotated. Explorers also compete in state First Aid competition which is approaching in late February.
Ellingson said it is most gratifying to him when an Explorer will tell him that something they learned helped them in their future lives. An Explorer thanked Ellingson for lessons he learned and was able to use in fire fights in Iraq. "We train in all emergency services," he said.
Ellingson and Peach invite other young people to join the Explorers. If interested, they may contact the Blooming Prairie Police Department at 507-583-7885.
"The only qualification needed to join is to have fun and possibly open an opportunity to a future vocation," concluded Peach. Check out the local Explorers on their Facebook page.