Citizen's Fire Academy

NEXT CLASS BEGINS

September 4, 2019

Overview

Introduction

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department Citizens Fire Academy (CFA) is open to persons 18 or older who either live or work in the Town of Auburn. This 8-week program includes approximately 24 hours of instruction. Classes meet on Wednesday nights. There is an optional Saturday program during the course where interested members can become certified in CPR and first aid. Sessions are approximately 3 hours in length from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and held at the West Auburn fire station, 7 West Street, Auburn MA, 01501. Class size will be limited to 20 students. The academy concludes with a graduation celebration. Class members will receive a certificate of completion from the Auburn Fire Rescue Department.

Objectives

Designed for adults to learn more about how the fire department is organized and operates. The CFA hopes to better inform the residents of Auburn as to the purpose and inner workings of the Auburn Fire Rescue Department. To discover what diverse services the Fire Rescue Department offers our community. The CFA also encourages citizens to return to their neighborhoods and relay to their friends and neighbors the proper procedures to use to become more safety conscious citizens. The CFA will provide an interactive forum for both the Fire Rescue Department and the citizens to share information.

Anticipated Benefits

The opportunity to receive basic CPR instruction and certification. Receive fundamental knowledge in first aid.
The opportunity to be able to react in a positive manner should some type of fire or medical emergencies arise.
An increased awareness and knowledge to keep your home and workplace accident free.
A better understanding of why and how the Fire Rescue Department conducts itself in an emergency.
The opportunity to interact and address community concerns relative to the Fire Rescue Department.

Academy Outline

Welcome and Introduction of CFA Participants
CFA General Information
Overview of the Auburn Fire Rescue Department
Department Hiring, Training and Continued Education
Personal Protective Equipment Demonstration
Portable Fire Extinguishers Demonstration
Apparatus and Equipment Demonstration
Explanation of Emergency Medical Services
CPR and First Aid Instruction (optional)
Motor Vehicle Extrication Demonstration
Public Fire and Life Safety Education
Regional Technical Rescue Team Demonstration / Regional Dive Team Overview
Fire Scene Operations / Live Fire Demonstration
Overview of the Bureau of Code Enforcement & Investigation
Home Fire Safety
Concluding Overview
Graduation Celebration

Instructors

All class instructors are members of the Auburn Fire Rescue Department and are committed to providing appropriate information to all participants in the CFA. All instructors are State of Massachusetts Certified Firefighters or Certified in their field of expertise. Members of the department will assist in many of the hands-on drills.

Class Size / Selection of Participants

Each session will average 20 participants. A larger group inhibits frequent interaction between participants and instructors. SAFETY is of the utmost concern and limiting participants allows for a safer learning environment. Citizens are selected based on demographics and citizen's ability to reach other members in their community. In preparing for the CFA, efforts will be made to include members of the educational, religious, and business community, as well as media representatives. Final selection of participants rest with the Fire Rescue Department Administration. General background checks of potential participants will be done. Participants will be contacted to ensure they are familiar with the program and the time commitment involved.

It is imperative for the participants to realize that the Citizens Fire Academy is a learning experience to help them better handle themselves in emergency situations. It is not intended to train them as firefighters or assist at a fire.

Measuring the Academy's Success

In order to keep the CFA informative and interesting; participants are encouraged to critique the program throughout its entirety. Enhancements to the program will be implemented as a result of the feedback received from the participants. Students are encouraged to participate in all practical demonstrations and to interact with the instructors and one another.