Excerpts from the JournalTopics.com:

Des Plaines residents are invited to participate in the second annual Citizens Fire Academy, an eight-week course that covers the details and challenges of being a firefighter.

Participants will meet every Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. between Sept. 7 and Oct. 26. They will be able to experience a vehicle extrication, search and rescue, engine company operations, truck company operations, and EMS, all in full firefighter gear. A graduation ceremony will be held Nov. 16.

For more information or to request an application, email Utinans at jutinans@desplaines.org.

thanks Dan