Who Are We?
The Next Generation of EMS Providers
Explorer Post 247, created through a partnership between Austin/Travis County EMS and Boy Scouts of America’s Learning Through Life branch, helps connect youth ages 14 through 20 years old with the EMS profession.
Post 247 holds weekly meetings every Monday night from 19:00-21:00 in Central-East Austin where youth learn about many aspects of prehospital emergency medicine. Explorers are instructed by EMTs and Paramedics from Austin/Travis County EMS and become proficient in CPR, bandaging/splinting, oxygen administration, conducting patient interviews and examinations, treating illnesses, leading teams, and becoming more responsible individuals.
Explorers are able to participate in ride-outs on 911 ambulances throughout Austin, where they are able to practice the skills they learn in weekly meetings and learn more about life as a medic. Many Explorers have gone on to work as EMTs and Paramedics for A/TCEMS, or pursue other paths in medicine such as nursing school and medical school.
lectures
Weekly meetings are taught by the world-class EMS providers of A/TCEMS.
Guest instructors have included the flight paramedics of STARflight, trauma surgeons, and other physicians.
Skills Training
Explorers become proficient in a variety of skills at the EMT level, including bandaging and splinting, CPR, oxygen administration, Epi-pen use, tourniquet application, patient examinations, and more!
Ambulance ride outs
You will apply what you’ve been learning to complete patient examinations and treatment plans under the watchful eyes of a ride-out advisor as you spend shifts on 911 ambulances.
“We believe the future of EMS starts here”
Medic Jordan Malone
Our roots...
Since 2010
EMS Explorer Post 247 was founded to give youth ages 14-20 a glimpse into the exciting world of EMS. Since starting in 2010, we’ve massively expanded our membership and community outreach.
Keeping "Service" in Emergency Medical Services
Community Service
making a Difference
Serving the community is at the heart of what we do.
Car Seat Events
Pop-Up Resource Clinics (PURCs)
Honor Guard Team
Spend a shift on a 911 ambulance
There are numerous benefits to being an Explorer, but we think one of the coolest opportunities is the ability to spend a shift alongside the world class EMTs and Paramedics of Austin/Travis County EMS, where you will learn how to apply the knowledge we teach you in a dynamic, fast-paced environment under the careful supervision of your ride-out advisors.
important things you should know
Questions And Answers
Individuals between the ages of 14 through their 21st birthday who have a desire to learn more about Emergency Medical Services.
EMT (sometimes called EMT-Basic) is typically a 12-16 week course which teaches Basic Life Support. Skills include CPR, providing ventilations to patients not adequately breathing, and basic med admin such as intranasal Narcan (opioid overdoses) and intramuscular Epinephrine (severe allergic reactions).
Paramedic typically takes another 1-2 years to earn after receiving your EMT, and teaches Advanced Life Support. Skills include starting IV lines, administering advanced cardiac medications, shocking a failing heart back into proper rhythm (cardioversion), and intubating patients (passing a breathing tube through the airway as a life-saving measure).
We charge no membership fees – the community invests in our future healthcare leaders through the sponsorship of Austin/Travis County EMS. Uniforms are issued, and youth are only asked to provide their own boots and belt.
We do not currently teach an EMT course, but we train our explorers to perform at the EMT level.
While you won’t earn a certification here, you will be well prepared should you decide to enroll in an EMT class upon turning 18 years old. Our Advisors will mentor you as you progress through your EMT course. To date, no Explorer has failed an EMT class while being a member of Post 247.
You will be contacted by a member of Post 247. We often have a waitlist to join, but when there is room available, you will be invited to come to one of our weekly meetings, where you can learn more about who we are and see if it’s a good fit.