January 15, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-01) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY Mobile Fire-Rescue Department is taking applications for its Citizens Fire Academy, which is scheduled to start on Monday, March 3, 2008. The ten-week course consisting of one night a week, 2-3 hours each evening, will provide participants with an overview of the major divisions within the department as well as a general overview of fire fighting and emergency medical services. The deadline for applying for the free program is February 1, 2008 and class size is limited. The Citizens Fire Academy is a hands-on learning program and a great opportunity for persons that reside or work in the City of Mobile who want to know more about their fire-rescue department. Experienced fire and emergency medical personnel, all within the ranks of the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department, will teach the Citizens Fire Academy curriculum. Participants will also experience first hand what firefighters and firemedics do during a tour of duty. The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department Citizens Fire Academy is designed to increase understanding of fire and emergency medical operations and to promote citizen interaction with the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department firefighters and firemedics. The program is designed to enhance awareness of the department's capabilities and limitations; develop realistic expectations of response times from the point of dispatch; and to develop a cooperative relationship between firefighters and the citizens of Mobile. Interested persons can download an application from the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department web site at www.cityofmobile.org/fire and fax (251) 208-2861 or mail the application to the Training Academy at 860 Owens Street Mobile, AL 36604 or they can have an application sent to them by calling the Training Academy at 208-2868. ###