AFD Community Fire Academy
The purpose of the Alexandria Community Fire Academy is to educate the Alexandria community about fire safety and emergency medical response, while learning about the history, administration, operations and apparatus of an urban public safety agency. The goal of the Academy is to build partnerships within the community by helping participants understand how the fire department works, and to encourage volunteering within the community.
Participants will also have an opportunity, through hands-on training, to experience a "day in the life" as a firefighter/paramedic. They will learn skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to stretch a hose line, ladder operations, and how an engine and truck operate, along with special operations skills.
NOTE: The Community Fire Academy is an outreach and engagement program, NOT the Department's recruit school for incoming firefighters. If interested in becoming a firefighter/EMT with the Alexandria Fire Department, visit Fire Recruitment.
Eligibility
The program is open to City residents ages 18 and over, individuals who work in the City, and owners of businesses located in the City.
How to Apply
Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2025 2025 session. Apply today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Alexandria Community Fire Academy?
The Alexandria Community Fire Academy is designed to help educate the Alexandria community about its fire department. Academy participants will have an opportunity to learn from Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) staff about the department's history, operations, tactics, human resources, budgeting, and more. Participants will also have a chance to experience the duties of fire personnel through hands-on training.
When are the Academy sessions held?
The Academy will be held in the spring and fall of each year. The Fall 2025 session will begin Monday, October 6.
How long is the Academy, and how often will there be classes?
The Academy is normally 8-10 weeks long. The schedule for the Fall 2025 session is subject to change based on needs and/or availability of presenters. Classes will be held on Wednesdays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m with two Saturday sessions from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What will I learn from the Academy?
Topics covered will include: 1) who works for your Fire Department and their roles; 2) Divisions within AFD; 3) Emergency Medical Service (EMS) skills, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and First Aid, and 4) operational skills (which include engine company and truck company hands-on operations).
How do I apply for the Alexandria Community Fire Academy?
The application process for the Fall 2025 session is now open. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 20.
Who is eligible to participate?
If you are a City resident, own a business in the City of Alexandria, work for City government, and are over age 18, you are eligible to participate in the academy.
How large are the classes?
The class size is limited to 12 participants.
Can I attend the academy if I live outside the City limits?
Yes, if you work for the city or own a business located in the City, you can attend the academy.
How much does the Alexandria Community Fire Academy cost?
There is no charge to participate.
Will I be participating in any physical activities?
Firefighters and paramedics are exposed to danger every day on the job. The fire service is very challenging physically and mentally, and to receive the full experience, in some Academy classes participants will be involved in physical activities such as learning CPR, lifting patient stretchers, extending ladders, carrying mannequins, stretching hose lines, and more. However, the choice to participate in these physical activities is entirely optional. For additional information about in-person activity, contact Firefighter Leslie Palucho at (703) 746-5217.
Can I apply even if I am unable to participate in the physical portion?
Yes, you may still apply even though you are unable to participate in the physical activities.
Will I be certified to perform the skills I learn in the Academy?
No, participants will not be certified to practice the skills that are shown in the Alexandria Community Fire Academy. The skills that the program offers are to expose the participants to the work of the Department.
PHOTOS: Community Fire Academy through the Years
The Alexandria Community Fire Academy educates community members about fire safety and emergency medical response, as well as the history, administration, operations, and apparatus of an urban public safety agency.
