The Loveland Symmes Fire Department (LSFD) is expanding its Fire Corps activities and is looking for volunteers who would like to attend their Citizens Fire Academy, starting March 21. The Citizens Fire Academy offers adult citizens in the Loveland/Symmes community the opportunity to learn about their fire department. As an academy volunteer, you will get an introduction to the LSFD and learn how firefighters and medics do their jobs. Six classes will be held in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m. on a bi-monthly basis, ending in mid-June. The trainig is a fun and easy way to see demonstrations and participate in hands-on training at your own comfort level. You will meet some of the firefighters and you will have the opportunity to do a few of the things they are expected to do while on the job. Examples include: hose and ladder operations, use of firefighting equipment and the ability to see the vehicles and other equipment up close. Although it is not expected, after completion of the fire academy, graduates are given the opportunity to assist the department in a variety of nonoperational activities or to join the Emergency Services Unit (ESU).

The LSFD ESU provides supplemental operational and administrative assistance specifically in the area of fire, disaster, and related emergency services to the LSFD. The ESU is based upon the Federal "Community Emergency Response Team" (C.E.R.T.) and "Federal Fire Corps" concept, but the LSFD took the program a step further. ESU members may choose to be assigned to a duty crew at a firehouse and participate directly in emergency response activities along with on-duty, regular firefighters. ESU memebers are also subject to "call out" to assist in specific situations as needed. ESU member duties have included assisting at fire and emergency calls, performing traffic control at events and incidents, providing disaster support services such as flood and wind storm response, and supporting community events such as Loveland's Amazing Race.

The Fire Corps is the key component of Citizen Corps that supports and supplements resource-constrained Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) through the use of citizen advocates for departmental activities. Fire Corps is coordinated nationally through a collaborative partnership of the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Volunteer Combination Officers Section, the International Association of Firefighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Citizen advocates who aid departments in non-operational activities allow first responders to focus their efforts on being prepared for and responding to the most critical, life-threatening situations. Everyone can do something to support their local fire and emergency service departments and it is a great way to serve your community. Sign up for the LSFD Citizens Fire Academy and learn more about LSFD and how you might be able to help with activities such as administrative support, public relations and outreach, helping to rehab firefighters on long calls, life safety education, web site support, and many others.

To find out more about the LSFD Citizens Fire Corps or to sign up for the academy, go to www.lsfd.org/ and click "volunteer".