(Seguin) — The Seguin Fire Department is giving you the chance to take a closer look inside its fire house. A few more spots are available for this year’s Citizens Fire Academy. The academy hosted by the Seguin Fire Department is open to anyone in the Seguin community wanting to learn more about firefighting.
Fire Chief Dale Skinner says the program is designed to feature the ins and outs of firefighting.
“The goal of our Citizens Fire Academy is to provide our citizens with information to make an informed judgement about the fire department and its activities and what we do. We want them to have a clear understanding and appreciate what it means to be a fire fighter and give them an increased awareness and knowledge of what we do. Less than five percent of the population interacts with the fire department. So, there’s 95 percent of the fire citizenry that really doesn’t understand or know what we do and it’s just to bring them in and give them the opportunity,” said Skinner.
Skinner says the program runs for several weeks — giving folks plenty of time to learn everything they can about the Seguin Fire Department.
“This one is a 10-week course, and they get to do things like we teach them how to use a fire extinguisher. We teach them the history of the fire service. They get a lesson in CPR so they just don’t walk away with some knowledge, they also walk away with some skills that they can apply in their own life or work life,” said Skinner.
Skinner says they want anyone who is interested to sign-up. While space is limited to the first 12 applicants, the program will need eight individuals to officially start.
“I say if you are on the fence, you should go. It is a very enjoyable class. You get to interact with the fire fighters and paramedics in our organization. You get to see and do things that ordinary citizens don’t get to do. You get to actually grab a hold of the jaws of life and cut up a car to see so you kind of get to experience some of the things that we do very personally. You get to work with ropes. You get to handle the fire hose, an advanced fire hose and then should you ever see these guys out in your daily world, it gives you a better understanding and really an appreciation of what they do. Firefighting is a hard job. It’s not what you see on TV. It’s hard, real life stuff and it just gives you that insight. The class isn’t really designed for the adrenaline junkie. You don’t have to be in shape to come to this class. You just have to have the desire to want to learn more about your fire fighters and your fire department,” said Skinner.
The program is free and will be held from Thursday, April 29 to Thursday, July 1. The schedule also includes an optional Saturday class for CPR training. The applications are available at www.seguintexas.gov or can be picked up/dropped off at the fire administration office, located inside of the Municipal Court Building at 660 State Hwy. 46. The municipal court building is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All applicants will undergo a background check. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 26.