Citizen academy gives residents a chance to step into firefighter's boots

For those with unfulfilled dreams of being a firefighter, the Cape Girardeau Fire Department is offering an opportunity to step into their boots for a day.

The department's second Citizen Fire Academy will be Nov. 7.

Applications are being accepted. Battalion Chief Mike Ramsey said the department typically accepts up to 15 people, and nine have applied so far.

The all-day event is divided into two parts.

"We give a bit of a lecture and do the classroom part in the beginning. Then, we go out and do the practical, hands-on in the afternoon," Ramsey said.

The "classroom" portion includes a history of the fire department and an explanation of its services. Participants learn about fire behavior, fire codes and firefighter safety before they see action.

Next, each person receives his or her own fire gear. That equipment comes in handy when the activities begin. After lunch, which is provided, the class is divided into three groups and rotates among three training stations.

One is the extrication/medical station. At that station, participants use equipment such as the Jaws of Life to open doors and extricate a person from a vehicle after a crash. They learn about loading up and caring for the patient.

Another station involves a burn demonstration, where a fire is started in a large shipping container.

"They go in there and observe the fire conditions and so forth," Ramsey said.

The final station focuses on ladder operations and includes riding in the bucket on the ladder truck.

Ramsey said the afternoon activities can be strenuous.

"You can look at some of the pictures and stuff from last year and tell (participants were) sweating," he said.

Even the simplest acts become complicated when moving around in heavy gear.

But that's as much part of the lesson the department hopes to teach participants as lectures on fire codes or fire behavior. The event allows people to better understand the job of a firefighter and leaves more of an impression.

"The hands-on portion kind of drives home some things for them," said Ramsey. "It's realistic and obviously job-related, what they're doing. So you really see some challenges, just a small slice of the pie of the issues and challenges that we face."

The Citizen Fire Academy is a free event, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7. Those who wish to participate must fill out and submit an application and waiver. Chosen candidates will be notified.

More information and links to the application and waiver are available at blog.cityofcapegirardeau.org.

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

1 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.