What is the Citizen's Fire Academy?
The Citizen’s Fire Academy
is an extension of the Fire Division’s community education efforts. The
purpose of the academy is to increase citizen awareness of the day-to-day operation of the Division by educating them on topics
relative to the role of Firefighters and fire safety in our community.
The Academy
is not intended to make citizens into firefighters, but to allow them to learn more about fire operations and fire safety. Citizens will discover how the Fire Division prepares for and responds to emergencies. They can also learn how to prepare their families and friends to survive an emergency. In return, the Fire Division will benefit from the wealth of knowledge and talents
the citizens bring to the academy.
It is our
hope that the participants of this program will take what they have learned into the community to enhance safety awareness
and make informed decisions on issues which affect the City and the Fire Division.
What Will I Learn?
All instruction is done by
veteran firefighters and fire safety professionals. The curriculum and teaching
methods are similar to those used in the traditional fire academy, however, the weekly sessions are not intended to train
the participant as a firefighter.
Students
are instructed on such topics as:
-
Communications
and 9-1-1
-
Fire Division
organization
-
Protective
equipment
-
Incident
command system
-
Fire chemistry
and behavior
-
Water
movement
-
Ladder
use
-
Entry
and ventilation
-
Search
and rescue
-
First
aid and CPR
-
Vehicle
rescue/extrication
-
Fire prevention
-
Public fire safety education
-
Emergency
vehicle operations
-
Fire extinguishers
-
Commercial
protective systems
-
Smoke
and CO detectors
Who
can Participate?
Citizens who live or work
in the city of Westerville or Blendon Township will be given first preference. We
also encourage citizens who do not fall into this category with an interest in the fire service to apply.
A criminal
record and driving status is checked on each applicant. The Westerville division
of Fire reserves the right to deny acceptance to persons with a criminal history.
Cost?
Free! The only cost to participants is their time.
Participants are required to attend all of the classes to be eligible to graduate.
Where?
Most classes
are held at the training facility located at 400 W. Main Street. Some classes
may be at other locations as required.
When?
Classes
run one night per week from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. for 10 weeks. Call the Fire
Division, 614-901-6600 for the dates of the next available class.
