For Immediate Release: January 24, 2024

The Alexandria Fire Department is now accepting applications for its spring 2024 Community Fire Academy. This program is offered free of charge and is open to City residents ages 18 and over, those who work in the City, and owners of businesses located in the City. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 16.

The Community Fire Academy educates community members about fire safety and emergency medical response, as well as the history, administration, operations and apparatus of an urban public safety agency. The goal of the Academy is to build partnerships within the community by helping participants understand how the fire department works, and to encourage volunteering within the community.

Through hands-on demonstrations, participants will have an opportunity to experience a “day in the life” as a firefighter/paramedic. They will learn skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to stretch a hose line, ladder operations and how an engine and truck operate. Other topics throughout the 8-week program include EMS, Finance, Fire Investigations, Special Operations, Emergency Management and Human Resources.

The Academy will take place every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The spring 2024 session will begin on March 13 and end with a graduation ceremony for participants on May 1. Visit alexandriava.gov/Academies to learn more about the Community Fire Academy and to apply.

For questions about the Community Fire Academy, email Community Outreach Coordinator Firefighter Leslie Palucho at AFDOutreach@alexandriava.gov.

For media inquiries only, contact Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or (703) 746-5190.

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This news release is also available at alexandriava.gov/go/5422.