HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8269 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8269
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 22, 2000
Subject: Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy Program
Information regarding the Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy was requested at a
recent City Council meeting. This report summarizes the history of the program,
activities of volunteers, and future direction for the program.
The concept for a Citizens Fire Academy (CFA) began in 1995 when the Fire Department
recognized the need for increased community involvement in the Department. After a
series of neighborhood association meetings the Department developed a plan for a
citizens fire academy that would meet this goal. The Academy was designed to promote
better understanding and cooperation between the Fire Department and citizens, provide
opportunities for citizen involvement in the Department, and create community advocates
for such programs as fire safety education, home escape plans, smoke alarms, CPR, and
to serve as neighborhood liaisons with the local fire station.
Since its inception in 1996, seven CFA classes have graduated 159 volunteers from the
program, representing a cross section of the Fort Worth community and providing a pool
of volunteers for the Fire Department. The CFA course is taught over a 12-week period,
with volunteers meeting one night per week for four hours. Class size has ranged from 15
to 40 participants. Participants are taught basic information about the organization and
functions of the Fire Department, including the Fire Alarm Office and how calls are taken
and dispatched; fire safety education; Fire Prevention and fire code enforcement; smoke
detectors and home evacuation planning. Participants also are certified in CPR.
The CFA is coordinated by the Department's Fire Safety Education office. In the future,
the Fire Department will assist the CFA graduates in developing an organizational
structure that will allow much of the staffing and events coordination to be performed by
the group instead of Fire Safety Education staff.
CFA volunteers have donated in excess of 1,000 hours of time to such activities as smoke
detector installations, assisting with fire station open houses, staffing informational
booths at Mayfest and Octoberfest, assisting in the Fire Alarm Office during the Fourth
of July activities and providing assistance with fireworks patrols, assisting with the
Wedgwood Baptist Church Memorial and the recent tornado cleanup. These types of
activities, which would otherwise be performed by on-duty fire personnel or fire
personnel working overtime, will continue to form the basis for future CFA projects. The
Fire Department will continue to look for ways to expand the volunteer opportunities for
the CFA graduates. This program provides great tangible and intangible benefits to the
Department and the City. We hope it continues to grow.
Although multiple academies have been conducted each year since the inception of the
program, only one class was graduated early this fiscal year. One is scheduled to begin
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8269
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 22, 2000
Page 2 of 2
Qr Subject: Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy Program
requested. The Department believes the program can continue under the current
arrangement, particularly if the CFA graduates are able to take on greater coordinating
responsibilities.
If Council members desire additional information or have questions, please contact Chief
McMillen at 871-6805.
ob Terrel
City Man
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS—