Why You should attend the Citizens fire academy

The Dallas Citizens Fire Academy offers insight into the daily lives of firefighters.  The inaugural class received 9 three-hour classes taught by various members of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department plus one 8 hour class on the last day of the series learning about methods used by the Urban Search and Rescue Team (US&R), thus giving one a greater appreciation for the firefighters and their responsibilities.

In the classroom various important topics in fire science are taught.  These are abbreviated versions of those taught to the firefighter recruits.  They cover topics such as hydrology, types of fires, hazardous materials, and problems associated with different building structures.  In addition, “hands-on” experience is obtained in areas such as wearing the weighty firefighter bunker gear, handling a fire hose, climbing the ladder of a ladder truck, entering a smoke-filled building, and putting out a fire while experiencing the incredible heat from that fire.  It is truly an eye-opening experience.

Robert Buckovan of the class 2007-02 recorded this Introduction to the Academy presented by Chief Kirk.  It offers a glance at what attending the academy will be like.