The goal of the Citizen Fire Academy program is to enhance relationships between Urbandale residents and the men and women of the Urbandale Fire Department. This program, although not new to Fire & EMS agencies, is designed to give a clearer understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the fire department in the community. Participants of the program will have the unique opportunity to learn how the Urbandale Fire Department provides quality community services to its customers.

Applications to participate in the Citizen Fire Academy can be downloaded off of the City of Urbandale’s website at www.urbandale.org or written requests for information concerning the Citizen Fire Academy may be directed to the following address:

Urbandale Fire Department

Citizen Fire Academy Coordinator

3927 121st Street

Urbandale, IA 50323

Questions about the Citizen Fire Academy and application requests and submissions can also be directed to Fire Marshal Jon Rech at jrech@urbandale.org or by calling 515-278-3970.

Application deadline is Friday 2/28/2020

The Citizen Fire Academy will meet once a week for six (6) weeks. The program will be on Thursday nights between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. It will consist of a combination of classroom instruction and practical exercises at UFD Station #42 at 3927 121st St. This program will be physically demanding on most skills nights and a majority of the Academy nights will last the full four hours. The following is the course outline (subject to change):

April 2nd Academy Orientation – Gear fitting, Overview of Academy, Introductions

April 9th Week 1 – Welcome to UFD and FD Functions

April 16th Week 2 – Home Fire Safety and Fire prevention Initiatives

April 23rd Week 3 – Intro to Firefighting & FD Operations

April 30th Week 4 – Intro to Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

May 7th Week 5 – Intro to Technical Rescue

May 14th Week 6 – Live Fire Training

May 16th **Graduation & Family Picnic

Upon graduating from the program, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a ride-a-long program with the fire department. Graduates will also be charged to serve as fire and life safety advocates in the community by applying the safety knowledge learned during the Academy to friends, neighbors, and family.

Must be 18 Years of Age to Apply