Citizens fire academy starts Tuesday; offers live demonstrations and hands-on experiences

QUINCY — The Quincy Fire Department is once again the host of the annual citizen fire academy, an opportunity for people to get an inside look at the fire department and learn about the multitude of services provided to the community through live demonstrations and hands-on experiences alongside Quincy firefighters.

The academy starts Tuesday, April 11. It is five weeks long and held from 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Only one class is offered per year, and it is limited to 15 people. Participants must be at least 18 years of age.

The class aims to:

• Better prepare Quincy residents on how to react in the event of fire or medical emergencies.
• Provide an understanding of the skills, training and knowledge Quincy firefighters are required to have in every emergency.
• Explain the tactics and strategies of firefighting and rescue, along with the dangers and benefits inherent to this type of service. 
• Provide insight into how Quincy firefighters perform their duties every day.

“The Quincy Fire Department’s goal is to provide an experience like no other that allows Quincy residents to become more knowledgeable in their fire department’s capabilities,” said firefighter Bryan Meyer, program coordinator. “We have found that this type of education has been most effective in giving the community a well-informed group of citizens.”

The class schedule and topics are: 

• April 11: Personal protective equipment, SCBAs, CPR and Engine 5
• April 18: Fire behavior and hose familiarization
• April 25: Vehicle extraction and technical rescue
• May 2: Water supply, RIT, ventilation and simulated emergency
• May 9: Graduation ceremony 

To sign up, go to https://www.quincyil.gov/public-safety/quincy-fire/fire-programs-services/citizen-s-fire-academy or call 217-228-4458.