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Truck operations conducted at the Irving Fire Citizen's Fire Academy are also a strenuous activity. Adding to the realism of the unexpected, they are conducted in the flight path of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport giving many Students an unexpected surprise. Here students experience the ride in a 100 foot Arial Platform Truck. Again the exercise is done in street clothing. Safety is of primary importance. Each bucket occupant is required to be wearing a safety harness as soon as entering the bucket. In addition a Technical Rescue Team and apparatus, an Engine Company, a 105 foot Ladder Truck Company, Medic Unit, Safety Officer and EMS Officer are in attendance. Twice each year, since 2002, the Irving Fire Department hosts the Irving Citizen's Fire Academy, a 9 week course open to 16 Irving Residents with both classroom and hands-on training on what it is like to be an Irving Firefighter. Course Modules include Fire Service Traditions and History, Recruiting-Hiring-Training, Fire Extinguishers, Personal Protective Clothing, SCBA, Swift Water Rescue, Home Fire Safety, HAZ-MAT Operations, Emergency Medical Services, Vehicle Extrication - Jaws-of-Life, Fire Ground Safety, Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Thermal Imaging Cameras, Truck Company-Master Stream Operstions, Engine Company Hydraulicas-Attack Line Operations, and Technical Rescue.
Graduates may further advance to Active Fire Ground Firefighter Rehabilitation and SCBA Support Services. Irving, Dallas County, Texas, USA. (Approved for public release November 2013. Photography by Fred Blundell)
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