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Hoffman Estates residents complete six-week Citizen Fire Academy, praise hands-on training
Summary
Community members completed a six-week Citizen Fire Academy run by the Hoffman Estates Fire Department, training in vehicle extrication, EMS skills, live-fire simulations and incident-command exercises before receiving diplomas at a departmental ceremony.
Community members who completed the six-week Citizen Fire Academy received diplomas at a ceremony hosted by the Hoffman Estates Fire Department, where department leaders and village trustees praised the program for giving civilians an inside look at firefighting operations.
Lieutenant Kurt Lichtenberg, the academy’s leader and the department’s public education officer, outlined the curriculum and hands-on exercises students completed. "We cut a car, a couple of cars ... we lifted them, we cut them, we spread them," Lichtenberg said, describing vehicle extrication drills. He also listed EMS training — including CPR and successful manikin intubation attempts — hose and hydrant operations, ladder work, and a live-fire scenario that required students to conduct victim searches and rescues.
The training, Lichtenberg said, was designed to help participants "understand how the fire department operates and why they do things the way they do it," enabling graduates to explain those processes to neighbors and the wider community.
Graduates said the practical exercises were highlights of the program. "I like breaking that door. That was the best part," said Umberto, who has completed the program twice. Several other students singled out forcible-entry practice, cutting and lifting cars, dummy drags and intubation as memorable learning experiences. Jen, who took on the role of battalion chief in a simulation, described that role as "extremely difficult," noting the challenge of coordinating radio traffic and assigning tasks under pressure.
Chief Wax thanked instructors and volunteers for their work with the academy and congratulated the graduates on their teamwork and progress over the course. Village trustees in attendance were also acknowledged for supporting the program.
Organizers closed the ceremony by calling graduates to receive their diplomas, inviting attendees to photos and refreshments, and encouraging participants to spread the word about next year’s academy.
The Citizen Fire Academy is presented by the Hoffman Estates Fire Department. The department said the program offers residents a practical, inside view of emergency operations; specifics on enrollment and session scheduling were not provided at the ceremony.
