Citizen's Fire Academy

APPLY HERE

Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services strives to develop programs that foster a close working relationship between the Department and the community. The Citizens Fire Academy is a twelve-week program offered to residents, college students, and business owners in our county. Participants will experience the Fire and Emergency Services Department first-hand by learning about the organization, the services we provide and valuable fire and life safety information that increases knowledge of what to do in emergency situations. Participants will also have the opportunity to go through simulated firefighting and EMS scenarios, and witness life and work at the fire station.

Program Overview

The Citizen's Fire Academy is a free, 36-hour program that provides a more in-depth understanding of the fire service and the many functions it serves within the community. This program includes a variety of presentations and hands-on activities taught by members of all ranks within the department. With the support of our community, we are achieving our mission: Work aggressively to preserve life and property, promote public safety, and foster economic growth in Cherokee County.

The Citizens Fire Academy’s scheduled events will be decided weekly from the itinerary below. The schedule is subject to change based on the availability of field units, instructor personnel, and weather conditions.

Participant Requirements & Application (APPLY HERE)

Citizen's Fire Academy participants must live and/or work in Cherokee County, be at least 18 years of age, and pass a background check. To apply for the FALL SESSION, click here and complete your application before August 8th! An open house for interested applicants will take place July 29^th from 6 – 9 pm at the Cherokee Fire Training Complex (3985 Holly Springs Pkwy.). 

Program Dates

The Citizen's Fire Academy will be held two times in 2025:

Spring session: March 6 to May 29, 2025, every Thursday from 18:00-21:00 (April 3, 2025 – Bye week). 

Fall session: August 28 to November 20, 2025, every Thursday from 18:00-21:00 (September 25, 2025 – Bye week). 

All meetings will be at the CCFES Training Center unless identified. For additional information, please email [email protected].

Fall Session Schedule  (APPLY HERE)                

Week 1  (8/28/25): Welcome and Fire Department Overview

• Introduction of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services senior staff and program support staff
• Department overview

Week 2  (9/4/25): Fire Station Experience (Fire Station 9)

• Fire station tour, aerial overview, and apparatus ride.

Week 3  (9/11/25): CPR and AED

• Become certified in CPR and AED.

Week 4  (9/18/25): Emergency Medical Services

• Stop the Bleed Certification
• EMS demonstrations and hands on experience with squad and equipment.

Week 5  (10/2/25): Fire Behavior, Hose, and Search and Rescue

• Demonstration and explanation of the self-contained breathing apparatus and bunker gear
• Demonstration on fire behavior, search techniques, and hose management
• Hands on training learning opportunity.

Week 6  (10/9/25): Emergency Communications and Emergency Management Agency (Headquarters) 

• Walk through of the Cherokee County 911 Communication Center and Emergency Management Agency
• SWAT Medic rescue task force (RTF) demonstration

Week 7  (10/16/25): Community Risk Reduction and Fire and Life Safety Education

• Side by Side Fire Behavior demonstration
• Mobile Fire Safety House and friendly firefighter demonstration
• Fire extinguisher training

Week 8  (10/23/25): Vehicle Stabilization and Extrication

• Vehicle stabilization, lifting, and extrication demonstration with hands on experience.

Week 9  (10/30/25): Fire Department Specialty Teams

• Overview and demonstration of specialty teams: Technical Rescue and HazMat teams

Week 10  (11/6/25): Simulated Emergency Scene Operations and Public Information (PIO)

• EMS and fire drills on an ambulance and fire engine
• Hands on experience speaking to news reporters in official capacity

Week 11  (11/13/25): Fire Investigations

• Presentation on Fire Investigations to include an overview of the Fire Investigator’s role and responsibility in investigating a fire, evidence collection, and incident scene analysis.
• Participate in a fire investigation to determine cause and origin.

Week 12  (11/20/25): Graduation

• Graduation ceremony
• Honor Guard Flag Presentation and pipes with drums.