Applications being accepted for Citizen Fire Academy

Feb. 23--ENID, Okla. -- Enid Fire Department is taking applications for its first-ever Behind the Mask Citizen Fire Academy.

The first class of the 11-week course is scheduled for March 27. Classes will meet 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays at the Central Fire Station, Fire Marshal Ken Helms said. The class also will meet one Saturday at Autry Technology Center for a live burn demonstration and make trips to the department's two newest substations.

Helms said the academy's curriculum is designed to increase understanding of fire and emergency medical operations and to promote citizen interaction with Enid Fire Department personnel. He said the inaugural academy will be limited to 10 people to ensure the quality of the classes for participants.

"We want to keep the group small enough that everyone gets a good experience and doesn't spend a lot of time waiting around for their turn," Helms said. He said depending on the reaction to the first academy, an additional fall academy could be added.

Applications can be found online at http://www.enid.org/home/showdocument?id=13321. Applications can also be picked up at the Enid Fire Department Central Fire Station, 410 W. Garriott, during business hours.

Participants must live or be employed in the city of Enid and must be at least 21 years of age. Applicants will be required to submit to a criminal history background check. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 16. Successful applicants will be notified by email and/or telephone during the week of March 19. Applicants who are not selected for this offering will be given another opportunity at a later date.

The curriculum will be taught by on-duty members of the fire department, highlighting a different area of service each week. Academy participants will have the opportunity to experience many of the fire and emergency tasks of a firefighter.

Some of the hands-on experiences will include: "Bunk Out" in full structural firefighting protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus and face mask; handling a charged hose line and actively extinguishing fires; safely experiencing a live structure fire training scenario in a controlled environment; taking part in a search-and-rescue activity with a blacked-out face mask simulating a smoke-filled room; extinguishing fires using a portable fire extinguisher; climbing a 100-foot aerial ladder; cutting apart a junk passenger vehicle to learn what's involved in extricating a crash victim; a ride-along on fire apparatus to actual emergency incidents and observing firefighters in action; learning about fire origin and cause investigations, and arson prosecution; and learning emergency first aid techniques and becoming certified in CPR.

Helms said all hands-on activities are voluntary but participation is encouraged. He said those who wish to opt out of certain experiences, such as climbing a 100-foot ladder, will be allowed to do so.

"We want to give them as much of the experience of being a firefighter as we can in this 40-hour curriculum but do it in a completely controlled and safe environment," Helms said. "This is not a recruiting tool. This is a chance for them to get to know their fire department, get to know what we do and see what tools and equipment are needed to do that safely and effectively."

Enid Fire Department Chief Joe Jackson said the public has supported the department through the Public Safety Sales Tax and the academy is a chance for the public to see the impact of that support.

"I think the program will build relationships and I think the participants will come out with a positive image of the department that will help with any of the future needs the department might have," the chief said. "It's kind of a way to show them what their investment has gotten them and what we do with it, what they've gotten with it.

"I just think this would be a good opportunity for the department, as well as citizens, to get to know what we do, make friends and get the whole picture of what goes on at the fire department, as far as training and the work we put in, the the variety of services we perform in the community."

Classes for the 2018 Academy are scheduled each Tuesday evening beginning March 27 and run through June 5, followed by a graduation dinner on June 7, where family members are invited. The live-burn structure fire training is tentatively scheduled 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 12.

For information, call Jackson or Helms at (580) 234-0541.

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