Henry County Fire Department

Citizen Fire Academy

The Citizens’ Fire Academy is a ten-week program designed to educate and inform citizens about fire and emergency services achieving a greater understanding of the inner workings of the Henry County Fire Department. The academy will be ten weeks in length, one night per week, on Tuesdays from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. and once on a Saturday. Classes will be held at Henry County Fire Headquarters located at 110 South Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough.  The instruction includes practical demonstrations that all participants are encouraged to participate in.  However, because of the voluntary nature of the program, physical limitations of applicants will not be considered a reason for exclusion from the academy.

For a glimpse into what the Citizen's Fire Academy program offers, click on the thumbnail to the left to watch a short video slideshow.

The goal of the Citizens’ Fire Academy is to:

• Provide residents a basic understanding of the tactics and strategies of firefighting and rescue operations.
• Provide a greater understanding of the services the Henry County Fire Department is able to provide.
• Encourage academy participants to return to their families and neighborhoods and share their experiences.  This will provide more safety conscious and informed citizens.
• Provide an enjoyable, interactive atmosphere in which fire department members and citizens can share information and concerns.

It is imperative that all participants understand that the Citizens’ Fire Academy is intended to be an informative experience to provide insight into how the fire department functions and what services they provide.  It is not intended to train participants as firefighters or assistants at any fires.  It is not the Academy’s intent to train participants to a level where it is safe for him/her to involve themselves in any firefighting activity.

How the Citizens’ Fire Academy Benefits Residents:

• Citizens and the Fire Department have an opportunity to work closely together
• Open lines of communication between community residents and their Fire Department are enhanced
• Citizens gain the ability to make informed decisions regarding controversial fire prevention issues they may face in their communities
• Citizen involvement with their local community and Fire Department is enhanced
• Citizens gain a better understanding of how their Fire Department works and develop a more safety conscious and informed community.
• Citizens become aware of the problems facing their Fire Department.

We hope the graduates of the Citizens’ Fire Academy become more aware and better informed about how the Fire Department operates, and will encourage friends, coworkers and families to join the Henry County Fire Department in this rewarding program.

Academy Schedule

The Fire Department plans to offer two sessions of the Citizens’ Fire Academy per year. The classes are held once a week on Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and once on a Saturday.  Classes are free of charge, but involve a commitment to attend all ten weeks.

• Week 1: August 31, 2010 - Fire Department Overview
• NO CLASS – SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 – LABOR DAY WEEK
• Week 2: September 14, 2010 - Tour of Emergency Communications
• Week 3: September 21, 2010 - Fire Behavior & Fire Extinguishers
• Week 4: September 28, 2010 - Hose
• Week 5: October 5, 2010 - Fire Safety Education
• Week 6: October 12, 2010 - SCBA / Search and Rescue
• Week 7: October 19, 2010 - Extrication and Technical Rescue Overview /Tools and Equipment
• Week 8: October 26, 2010 - EMS Training
• Week 9: November 2, 2010 - Simulated Fire Scene
• Week 10: November 9, 2010 - Final Class / Questions & Answers / Graduation

(Other sessions will be announced at a later date.)

Entrance Requirements

Potential candidates for the Citizens’ Fire Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age of 18
• Live in Henry County
• No prior felony arrests
• No misdemeanor arrests within six months of the application
• Complete and return the signed application.

Selection Procedure

The Citizens’ Fire Academy students are selected by the Citizens’ Fire Academy (CFA) Committee through an application process. The names of the selected candidates are then placed on a waiting list. Enrollment is limited to sixteen students per session.

For more information on the Citizens’ Fire Academy, please contact (770) 288-6620. Download and print the application by clicking here. Fax your completed application to (770)-288-6776.