Registration for the first Greensboro Fire Department Fire Citizens’ Academy is open now through June 16.

The Greensboro City Academy has been a popular way for residents to learn more about their city government for decades, and one of the more popular sessions has consistently been on the Fire Department. So it makes sense that the Fire Department would start holding its own academy.

The Greensboro Police Department has also been holding a Police Citizens’ Academy from February through August for years.  Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter is a big proponent of both the City Academy and the Police Citizens’ Academy, and when people come to the City Council with complaints about the GPD or city government in general, Abuzuaiter often recommends they sign up for one of the academies to get first-hand knowledge about how things work.

Now Abuzuaiter will have another academy to recommend.

The Fire Citizens’ Academy is designed to give participants greater understanding of what the GFD does and why it is rated as one of the best fire departments in the country.

The Fire Citizens’ Academy will meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each Monday from July 31 through Sept. 25 at various fire stations throughout the city.

The program is free but restricted to those 18 and older.  The first class is limited to 20 participants. Everyone who applies will be notified by Friday, June 21 if they have been selected.  Applications are being accepted at www.greensboro-nc.gov/gfca .

Greensboro Fire Chief Jim Robinson said, “The Fire Citizens’ Academy is an incredible chance for our community to get to know their local fire department. We are excited to work one-on-one with our community and hopefully offer a new perspective on what we do every single day for the people we care about the most.”