By Carter Hall, CSFD Firefighter
Most of us have New Year’s resolutions that include things such as living a healthier lifestyle, saving more and spending less, and simply enjoying life to the fullest. College Station’s 12-week Citizens Fire Academy, which begins Feb. 5, can help you fulfill at least one of those promises.
1. Live a healthier lifestyle.
This one’s easy.
At Citizens Fire Academy, we’ll issue you firefighting gear that weighs about 45 pounds. Just carrying the gear bag to class is a terrific start to a new fitness regimen, and you’ll wear that gear while performing some of our hands-on activities. Toward the end of the class, you can try to complete the same agility physical test as our potential firefighters.
2. Save more, spend less.
For the crazy-low price of free, you’ll have the unforgettable experience of taking part in Citizens Fire Academy while making new friends and understanding of what it takes to be an emergency responder in a fast-growing college town.
3. Enjoy life to the fullest.
If you want to enjoy life more, committing one night a week from 6:30-9:30 p.m. for 12 weeks is a great place to start. You’ll meet firefighters and paramedics and go behind the scenes at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service’s world-famous Brayton Fire Training Field. When you complete the program, you can join the College Station Fire Department as a volunteer.
Did I mention that you’ll tear apart a vehicle with the Jaws of Life, climb a 100-foot fire truck ladder, and put out a real fire while wearing that heavy full bunker gear? After graduation, you can ride along with our crews to get an even fuller sense of what being a firefighter is all about.
Bonus: You can help others.
Our Citizens Fire Academy also opens doors for those who have a passion for helping those in crisis. Once you complete CFA, you can receive additional training to join our Community Action Response Team that assists victims of residential fires and other disasters. Another option is our Rehab Team, which assists firefighters at emergency scenes.
Whether you are looking to learn new skills, want to get involved with your community, or simply have something fun to look forward to each week, I encourage you to apply for the 2019 Citizens Fire Academy.
Learn more and apply at cstx.gov/cfa.
About the Blogger
Carter Hall has been a College Station firefighter since 2011. He earned a degree in leadership development from Texas A&M in 2005.
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