Topeka and Lawrence take part in second annual Explorer Games

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Potential future Topeka and Lawrence firefighters battled it out to see who has more grit at the second annual Explorer Games.

The Explorer Program is for kids 14 to 20 years old, where they learn the ins and outs of what it's like being a firefighter.

Challenges at the games included forceful entry, gear drills, search and more.

"The growth is the main thing," Lieutenant Zachary Bradford said. "Watching these kids grow and seeing their skills excel, and especially today, watching how good they've been doing, it makes us feel good as instructors, and I'm sure it makes them feel good seeing their skills."

"I just love how much they've grown on each other as well," Firefighter Paramedic Jasmin Ramirez said. "They didn't even know; nobody knows each other, it seems like, and then they just become a family, and that's what the fire service is all about."

The games also included a raffle where money raised went to the explorers.

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