ORIGINS:
Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting, was once asked
"Be Prepared...for what?" He replied simply, "Why,
for any old thing!" It was hardly surprising that
Boy Scouting would have an Emergency Services program.
Before Scouting had turned a decade old, there were
"Emergency Units" in Scout Troops. Still, it was
many years before the program was formalized into a Senior
Scouting option.
EMERGENCY SERVICE CORPS: In 1939, the Emergency
Service Corps was created as our nation began to prepare
for involvement in World War II. It continued past
the end of hostilities as a hot war was exchanged for a
cold one.
EMERGENCY SERVICE EXPLORERS: In 1949, with the
advent of the Explorer Scouting program, the Emergency
Service Explorers took over the job which it held with few
changes until 1962.
READY EXPLORERS AND EMERGENCY SERVICE: From 1962 to
1969 only members of the Explorer program were allowed to
perform emergency services. By 1969 the "Ready
Explorer" armband was replaced by the "Emergency Service"
armband. Scouts continued in this program until it
was phased out in the mid 90's in favor of Fire and Law
Enforcement Exploring activities.
ORIGINS:
Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting, was once asked
"Be Prepared...for what?" He replied simply, "Why,
for any old thing!" It was hardly surprising that
Boy Scouting would have an Emergency Services program.
Before Scouting had turned a decade old, there were
"Emergency Units" in Scout Troops. Still, it was
many years before the program was formalized into a Senior
Scouting option.