Elk Grove Village Residents Graduate from Citizen's Fire Academy

On Wednesday, May 9, twenty-four (24) residents graduated from the Elk Grove Village Citizen's Fire Academy. The Fire Department offers this program annually to provide residents the opportunity to learn more about the Fire Department and its operations.

Throughout the 6-week program, participants learned proper use of a fire extinguisher, the basics of first aid and CPR, and resources for disaster planning. There was also hands-on instruction on how to deploy a fire hose, auto extrication, and forcible entry of a door. Tours of emergency vehicles were provided as well as demonstrations of advanced medical equipment available to Elk Grove Village paramedics.

Participants were introduced to specialty equipment used for hazmat and water rescue incidents and had a great time trying out the equipment and snapping photographs. During the final session, participants were divided into groups to test the skills they had learned, by rotating through stations to attach hose to a hydrant, forcibly open an outside door, put a fire out inside of the training tower, and search the tower for a "victim" to rescue. All teams were successful!

The Elk Grove Village Fire Department is already making plans for next year's academy. Interested persons can send an email to FireDepartment@elkgrove.org to be notified when registration begins.