Utilities Water Division Team members Anthony Talamantez and John Haack clean a fire hydrant in preparation for routine maintenance. In addition, the Utilities Water Division systematically replaces older hydrants and provides routine cleaning and painting of newer models. The metro area Explorer Challenge tested the team's general firefighting and emergency medical services knowledge as well as practical skills in search and rescue, ladder operations, evacuating a structure, and a timed relay. The Mankato Fire Explorers team placed sixth. The Mankato Fire Explorers are a group of eight high school students who have an interest in fire service.
Explorers hold regular training meetings to learn about firefighting skills.
They also ride along on fire engines to emergency calls. For more information, contact Mankato's Fire Explorer Post Advisor, Commander Jeff Bengston at 387-8577.