Jared Ergle always thought he would like to be a fireman, and when he heard about Littleville Volunteer Fire Department starting an Explorer Program, he knew it was his chance.

“This gives you a chance to get some first-hand experience and really see what it’s like,” the 17-year-old said.

Ergle has been a part of the program since March and it has been everything he hoped, he said.

“I love it. I want to be a fireman when I turn 18,” said Ergle, who is president of the Littleville Explorer program. “I’m going to do all I can to become a part of a paid department.”

Several volunteers departments in Lauderdale and Colbert counties are recruiting firefighters by using the Explorer Program, which is certified through the Boy Scouts of America.

“We started one 18 years ago, it’s really helped keep our numbers up,” Waterloo Fire Chief Ted Kavich said. “It’s a tremendous recruiting tool.”

Explorer Programs are for people ages 14-21. Advisers and all adults who work with Explorers must go through a certification program.

Once the explorers reach age 18, they can become members of the host department or they can remain in the Explorer Program.

Darren Hogeland is the Cherokee Fire Department Post Explorer adviser. He said the program has been beneficial to the Cherokee department.

“We’re like any other department where manpower is always needed and this program really helps keep younger people interested in being firefighters,” Hogeland said. “We’re finishing up our third year with the program and it’s like a dream come true.

“We get young people who are eager to learn and they are an asset to the department.”

There also are Explorer Programs at the Killen and Underwood-Petersville volunteer fire departments.

Killen Fire Chief Randy Brown said the Explorer Program gives members a chance to see the commitment it takes to be a part of a volunteer program.

“They get to see it’s not all just lights and sirens,” Brown said.

Rodney McAnally, a firefighter with Tuscumbia Fire Department and a member of the Littleville Fire Department, is the adviser for the new Explorer Program in Littleville.

“It’s really like an apprentice program,” McAnally said. “They can do anything any of the firefighters do with the exception of going into a burning building, or ride on a tanker truck with more than 1,000 gallon capacity, or go on a call in their private vehicle.”

McAnally said the explorers must have an adult firefighter with them at all times.

“From working on equipment and vehicles to sweeping the floors and keeping the station clean — that’s all a part of it and they do that work,” he said. “We started out with 11, we’ve graduated some out. Once they’ve been in the program for a while and they get 18, they’re jumping at the bit to fight fires.”

McAnally’s son, Rodney McAnally Jr., is a member of the Littleville Explorer Program.

“Since I was 4 or 5 years old I wanted to be a fireman,” he said. “Being a part of the Explorer Program ... you get a taste of what it’s like. It lets you see if this is what you want to do or not.”

Kavich members of the Explorers go through all of the training that regular members of the department does.

McAnally said the program teaches young people more than just firefighting.

“It teaches them life skills. It teaches them how to be adults, to be leaders,” he said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.