April 25, 2024

Newton Fire Academy back for second year

By Jamee A

Getting to work a simulated hazardous materials scene is just one of the many opportunities participants in the Newton Fire Department Citizen Fire Academy get to experience during the six week program. Applications are being accepted now for the next session starting in April. (Submitted Photo)

Have you ever wondered what a firefighter does all day? Are you curious about how they fight fires and deal with hazardous materials? If so, then the Newton Fire Department 2017 Citizen Fire Academy is for you.

The six-week course will delve into everything from the history of firefighting and hazardous materials response to actually fighting a fire in a staged fire scenario. Courses start on April 18 and are scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday until a graduation ceremony and family picnic on May 23.

“It is always nice when you can get people in who are interested in what you do and actually see what it is because it can be hard to explain,” Newton Firefighter and Paramedic Joe Coen said.

Coen, who is organizing the academy, is excited to see the program grow in its second year and once again share the variety of work the department does every day.

Those attending the academy will start the program by attending an orientation including introductions to those administering the academy, a history of the fire department and its function, a station tour and the opportunity to put on fire gear the professionals use every day.

The second session introduces emergency medical services and is presented by Capt. Chad Ray. Participants will tour an ambulance, have the opportunity to be hooked up to monitors, administer a blood pressure test and learn what it takes to become a paramedic.

During the third week, the hazardous materials response team, lead by Capt. George Montgomery, will share how they deal with HMR situations and live situations will be given to the participants to work through, if they choose.

“We actually put you in a Level A suit, a fully encapsulated suit where you breath tanked air. We also practice figuring out what a chemical is,” Coen said. “We then determine what we need to do to make the scene safe.”

An education on technical rescues will be given by Capt. Steve Ashing, including how harnesses are used and lifting procedures. The following week, Ray will introduce firefighting and a planned burn cell will be set up to show how fast different materials can burn. Academy attendees will also have the chance to work a fire hose and put out a fire.

The final session features the graduation ceremony and family picnic where participants will receive a certificate of graduation.

“It is nice that citizens can come see what we are doing and how their tax dollars are being spent. We try to be as efficient as possible and provide a very sound service,” Coen said.

For more information about the citizen fire academy, contact the NFD at 641-792-3347, www.newtongov.org or 410 S. Second Ave. W. Applications are due by March 10. The class size is capped at 10 participants and a background check is administered before applicants are approved.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com