Experience Ignites Excellence for 50 Years

What were you doing in 1975? Gerald Ford was President and gas was $0.57 cents. JAWS hit theaters and Johnny and Roy were on TV every Saturday night. Bill Gates was establishing Microsoft, and Bud Burton, Paul Reed, Jim Benedetto, and Fred Wood were establishing the Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department Explorer Post 475!

Explorer Post 475 (named after the 1968 American LaFrance 90-foot Snorkel) started with 12 local boys and 4 overworked adults. They had fire coats made of rubber and cotton, rubber boots, and aluminum helmets. They climbed wooden ladders, and their 2.2 Scott air packs were stored in suitcases and used as a last resort. They rode in a Mack Pumper, Dodge Power Wagon Rescue Truck, and a Dodge Mini Pumper. As the community witnessed the camaraderie and friendships that last a lifetime, word of the post spread, and membership grew.

50 years later, JAWS has released three sequels, Microsoft is worth 2.90 trillion dollars, and Explorer Post 475 is still burning bright! As the oldest continuously operating Post in NY state, and one of the oldest in the country, we have seen many changes; thermal imaging cameras, mandatory SCBAs with heads-up displays, Nomex coats, boots made of composite materials, and fiberglass helmets are standard issue. Thanks to those selfless adults and pioneering boys we have educated 800 men and women into volunteer firefighters, carrier firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, police officers, dispatchers, veterans, teachers, leaders, brave people, honest people, strong people, respectful people, and a family that is 50 years strong. And we’re ready for 50 more.

by Explorer Schuyler Riedell