County Fire Department Launching Citizens Fire Academy

If youve ever wondered what its like to be a firefighter, you can have most of your questions answered by attending the upcoming Sandoval County Citizens Fire Academy.

The Sandoval County Fire Department created this 11-week program as a means of helping county residents understand how fire and emergency medical personnel go about their jobs.

We hope this program will enhance the publics awareness of the departments capabilities, as well as its limitations, Sandoval County Fire Chief James Maxon said. We hope that opening our doors and letting citizens see howand why we respond to specific situations in certain ways will promote cooperative relationships between firefighters and the citizens of Sandoval County.

Chief Maxon also believes the academy will make citizens more aware of the dangers of fire and the benefits of prevention, as well as give them a better idea of how long it takes the department to respond to an emergency.

This knowledge will be gained through a series of 2.5-hour classroom sessions, taking place on Wednesday evenings, starting September 10, 2014. There also will be one Saturday session on November 15, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Wednesday sessions are scheduled for 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

All sessions will be at Sandoval County Fire Station #21 located next to the Santa Ana Star Casino on Tamaya Boulevard.

The following topics will be covered:

  • Sandoval County Fire Department History/Introductions
  • Community Risk Reduction, Fire Prevention: Inspection/Public Education Fire Investigations
  • Dispatch (911) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
  • Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • SCBA-Search and Rescue
  • Heavy Rescue/Hazardous Materials
  • Vehicle Extrication
  • Fire Extinguisher Training
  • Hose Evolutions
  • Simulated Fire Evolutions
  • Graduation

Academy participants must be at least 18 years of age and live in Sandoval County. Applicants must submit to a background check and sign a waiver releasing Sandoval County of all liabilities while participating in the Academy. There is no charge to participants, however, there will be an opportunity to purchase a Citizens Fire Academy T-Shirt, hat, and coffee mug.

For additional information, and an application, visit the Sandoval County Fire Department website.