our activities: FIRE SCHOOL
Citizen Fire Academy —
Learn more about the Fire Department and learn some valuable skills
BY MELISSA MOORMAN
W
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
Mulloy, Emergency Management Coordinator with the
City of Weatherford. “The fire department doesn’t only
deal with fire. That’s maybe 10% of what they do.”
However, the program is not designed to train volunteer
fire personnel. “They are going to teach you some really
good information, how to use a fire extinguisher, get CPR
certified. It’s also a lot of fun. When they start going out
to do the drills, I heard from the first class over and over,
how much fun it was. It will give them a better understanding of the fire department and strengthen those ties
with the community,” he continued.
Malloy has been with the city almost a year and
serves as its Emergency Management Coordinator. He is
in charge of drafting the city’s emergency management
plans, disaster relief plans and the plants that would make
sure that the city is ready for any kind of disaster and to
be able to recover faster. He also is responsible for emergency management education. He graduated from UNT
with a degree in Emergency Administration and Planning.
He interned at both Weatherford and North Richland
Hills before accepting a position in Nebraska planning
for emergencies surrounding nuclear power plants. He
returned to Texas and Weatherford last year to be closer
to family.
All of the classes are taught by members of the
Weatherford Fire Department and most will meet at
Station 1 behind City Hall just off Palo Pinto Street, west
of the downtown square. Anyone is invited to join by
contacting Emergency Management Coordinator Cody
Mulloy, 817-598-4040 or via email [email protected]. Those under 18 are asked to attend with a parent
during some of the classes.
FEBRUARY 2016
ould you like to learn CPR, and how to use that
fire extinguisher that lives under your sink? Test
your skills on the obstacle course and tour a smoke-filled
building? Try on firefighter’s bunker gear? The City of
Weatherford has made all of this possible in its Citizens
Fire Academy beginning on February 25 at 7 p.m. and
running for 10 weeks through May 5. The classes will last
as little as an hour up to three hours, depending on what
is being discussed that session. The classes are free of
charge, but if you want to continue being involved with
the fire department academy alumni association the cost
is $5 for a background check. Alumni participate with the
fire department by volunteering such as bringing water
to the firefighters who are fighting a particularly long fire
event.
This is the second Citizens Fire Academy that the city
has sponsored to introduce citizens to all of the services
provided to the city from its fire department. Class topics
will address fire behavior and science, fire extinguishers,
ladder drills, fire hoses and nozzles, search and rescue
drills, fire prevention and investigation as well as emergency medical services, CPR and the fire department
physical ability test.
“The Citizens Fire Academy is a great opportunity for citizens to gain knowledge and learn about the
Weatherford Fire Department,” said Fire Chief Paul Rust.
When the classes are over a small graduation will be held
to recognize the citizens who participated. “The intent is
for Weatherford citizens to learn directly from our firefighters, fire chief and fire marshal regarding our operations,” he said.
“The program is designed to strengthen the ties
between the public and the fire department,” said Cody
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