WFD Welcomes Citizen Academy Grads

CASTLE HAYNE, NC (WWAY) — After nine weeks of training, the Wilmington Fire Department honored the first class of graduates from its Citizens Fire Academy. The academy teaches its students about the inner workings of the fire department through classes and hands on training.

This first class got the opportunity to fight mock fires, use department ladder trucks, and even go on marine fire training. For some, it’s the next best thing to being an actual fire fighter.

“Well I’ve always been around firefighting,” says Tracy McMillan. “My brother and my dad are both firefighters, it’s always annoyed me to sit on the sidelines and not know exactly what was going on. So this opportunity opened up and of course I jumped, it was awesome. Its been a blast.”

After the success of its first class, the Wilmington Fire Department will start up the academy again in September. If you’d like to apply for a spot, you can visit WFD’s website at: http://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/fire_department/public_education/fire_education_programs/citizens_fire_academy.aspx