The second group of citizens have begun the six-week DeKalb County Fire Department Citizens' Fire Academy. Participants in the Fall 2013 academy are, Jen Sherwood of Leadership DeKalb; Tom Duggin of DTC Communications; Angie Meadows of the Review; Judge Bratten Cook; Ronnie Goodwin of Liberty State Bank; Sandra Wilmore of the DeKalb County Red Cross Chapter; Kevin Bandy of DeKalb Community Bank; Darrell Gill of DeKalb Tire and Service and 2nd District County Commissioner Jack Barton.
These students are learning what firefighting is all about, and what it takes to keep our communities protected. They will get an up-close and behind-the-scenes view that also gives them a chance to participate in both classroom instruction and simulated firefighter exercises, including vehicle extrication and simulated fire exercises.
“We are not doing this to make firefighters out of our participants. This academy is simply designed to educate citizens on what being a firefighter is like, and to give participants a better understanding of what we do,” said Fire Chief Donny Green.
In addition to the extrication and live fire exercises, participants will learn how to do CPR, visit the 911 Communications Center, learn about fire behavior, arson investigation, search and rescue and firefighter safety. Each Tuesday evening through Nov. 5, participants will be exposed to a different topic instructed by the department's officers and guest speakers.
According to the chief, the fire department plans to continue conducting the Citizens' Fire Academy in the Spring and Fall each year.
If you are a business person or community/organization leader and would be interested in learning more about how to enroll in an upcoming Citizens' Fire Academy, you may email Green at chief300@dtccom.net, or contact him at 615-464-7176.
Second citizens fire academy begins