More than a ride along, City of Atlanta’s Cabinet and its 16-member City Council are invited today to participate in the first ever City of Atlanta (COA) Fire Academy. The participants are exercising some of the same training drills that are conducted by recruits who enter the 9-month Atlanta Fire Training Academy (AFTA), 23 Claire Dr., SW, Atlanta, before becoming active firefighters and EMTs for Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD). The half-day version of the training and firefighter drill experience includes CPR, ladder climb, rappelling, apparatus ‘show and tell’ of fire truck and engine, and a live burn (fire) demonstration. The participants “graduate” with a certificate of completion presented by Chief Roderick M. Smith. This first-of-its-kind program is funded by the nonprofit - Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF) - through its corporate and community partners who prioritize supporting public safety.

“Our world-class department is built upon the onboarding of the top recruits in the region and beyond,” says Roderick M. Smith, Chief, AFRD “It is imperative that we provide the resources to prepare and support the men and women of AFRD. We are proud to open the doors to our training academy so our city’s leaders can experience what it takes to be a member of Atlanta Fire.”  

“We are grateful for the opportunity to see and experience firsthand the training and courage it takes to be a front-line responder in our city, says Doug Shipman, President, Atlanta City Council. “The work our AFRD men and women do every day as firefighters and EMTs to keep our city and residents safe only happens through world-class training. This day helps us better understand how life-saving skills are developed.”

“We have a ride along program that invites citizens to ride in the truck alongside AFRD and respond to a 911 call,” explains Michelle Middlebrooks, Assistant Chief Support Services, AFRD. “But this is the first time we’ve opened our academy to civic leaders. City Councilmembers represent the districts where our fire rescue stations are located and where our firefighters work and live so this exposure to a “day in the life” of a firefighter is a win-win.” 

The Fire Academy real-world experience included classroom training with the review of industry terminology and protocol, First Aid/CPR instruction; and hands-on training of turn-out gear fitting, a ladder climb of up to 105 feet into the air, live fire simulation with search and rescue, and rappelling drills.