The Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue debuted its Citizens’ Fire & Rescue Academy in the fall of 2017. The academy offered attendees the opportunity to participate in an educational, stimulating experience, where they could learn firsthand about the inner workings and operations of the department.

Sessions included classroom instruction as well as practical, hands-on lessons with an overview of fire administration, the Support Services Division, Technical Services Division, Operations Division, fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, search and rescue, fire prevention and emergency management.

“The Citizens’ Fire and Rescue Academy was designed to enhance our engagement with our citizens,” Suffolk Fire & Rescue Chief Cedric Scott said. “I am very grateful to the citizens who participated and the instructors who shared their knowledge and time. This was our first time embarking on such a task, and we are very pleased that it was a big success. Our plan is to continue to conduct the academy on an annual basis, and we hope that everyone will consider signing up next year. I sincerely congratulate our graduates on successfully completing the program.”

The academy wrapped up the five-week course with a graduation ceremony on Dec. 7, where the participants were honored and recognized for their efforts to learn more about the department.