News Flash

PRESS RELEASE – GREENVILLE FIRE-RESCUE NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL CITIZEN’S FIRE ACADEMY

GREENVILLE: Greenville Fire-Rescue (GFR) will be hosting the 11th session of its popular Citizen’s Fire Academy beginning September 7, 2023. The purpose of the 12-week class is to educate citizens about fire and emergency services, providing them with an in-depth look at the services Greenville Fire-Rescue offers. It also provides instruction on various safety topics.

Much like the Citizen’s Police Academy, participants will learn about the various roles and responsibilities of Greenville firefighters, receive special training in several areas such as proper fire extinguisher use and selection, CPR/AED/First Aid certification, fire safety and prevention for the home and workplace, fire escape planning, and make new friends! A 6-hour long “play day” of various emergency scenarios including using the “jaws of life” on real cars, search and rescue, along with “ride-outs” on emergency calls, highlight the program. Students will receive a class information binder, t-shirt, ball cap, and a class photo.

GFR has held nine classes to date. "Growing up as the daughter of one of Greenville’s Fire Chiefs, I took the class because I thought it would be interesting to learn about some of the things that my daddy did as a firefighter. After taking the class, I cannot begin to tell you how amazed I was by the amount of skill, training, and dedication our firefighters must have to do what they do. I believe everyone, young adults, or seniors, should take this class. You will come away with an understanding of the brotherhood that you hear about. As a taxpayer here in Greenville, we are so fortunate to have the caliber of firefighters that we do, protecting our city every day” Cheree Thompson, Class 2017-07.

The class meets every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at GFR’s Station #3 beginning September 7, 2023, through November 30, 2023. (No classes on 11/23). Participants must be 18 years old or older and live or work within the City of Greenville. The program is free, but participants must commit to attending most of the classes. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. However, spaces fill up fast and it is recommended to get your application in early.

“Upon completion of the program, we hope that the participants will take their new-found knowledge and the safety skills they have learned into the community and share it with friends, family, and co-workers,” said Fire Chief Jeremy Powell. “Through this sharing, we hope to foster a better understanding of our duties, responsibilities, and capabilities to serve the community and make Greenville a safer place to live, work and play”.

To download an application, visit the City of Greenville website at https://gfdtx.online/cfa The application is located under Specialty Classes/Programs. You may also visit the GFR Facebook page at https://gfdtx.online/facebook and look for the post pinned to the top of the wall.

Contact Sylvia R. Peace at (903) 457-2940 for more information or stop by Fire Administration to pick up an application at 2603 Templeton during regular business hours.

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