The Scarborough Fire Department is accepting applications for its first Citizens’ Fire Academy. Enrollment is open through Aug. 30.

The goal of the program is to provide residents of Scarborough with a comprehensive experience of the services provided by the men and women in the fire department. The secondary goal is to recruit possible new on-call members.

Participants will gain firsthand knowledge of a firefighter’s core job functions through classroom instruction, hands-on participation and live demonstrations. The program is open to Scarborough residents 18 or older who are mentally and physically fit and interested in learning more about how the fire department works.

The Citizens’ Fire Academy will consist of 10 weekly classes, and participants will meet at the various neighborhood fire stations to learn about the department’s organizational structure, fire tactics and strategies, dispatching and more.

Participants will also receive CPR certification training and an overview of emergency management, fire prevention and community outreach and risk reduction measures.

In addition, interested participants will also be allowed to schedule time with on-duty crews including actual emergency response activities in a controlled environment.

Student selection and notification will be completed by Sept. 4 and the academy will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, at the Public Safety Building in Oak Hill.

To apply go to www.applitrack.com/townofscarborough/OnlineApp/default.aspx?all=1 and click on the 2015 Citizen Fire Academy link.

The academy is limited to 12 students, due to?department resources, safety and logistics. Submitting an application does not?guarantee acceptance into the program. Participants will be selected based on their level of interest, their?commitment to the fire service and the needs of the Scarborough Fire Department.

If selected, a criminal background?check will be conducted. Contact Lt. Nate Contreras at ncont@ci.scarborough.me.us or 883-4542 for more information.