The City of Fayetteville Fire Department has been awarded an Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) grant for its Summer Teen Certification and Fire Academy.  

The program is scheduled to run from June 10 to June 14, at the Fayetteville Fire Station 14, located at 632 Langdon St.

This summer camp is designed to engage local youth, particularly rising 9th to 12th graders from Cumberland County, in a variety of critical skills ranging from Community Emergency Response Team Basic Training Certification to life-saving techniques such as Stop the Bleed and Hands-only CPR. The program also addresses important issues like teen depression, bullying, distracted driving, human trafficking, drugs, gangs, firearm safety and financial awareness. 

"We are deeply committed to not only providing first-rate emergency response training but also to cultivating the next generation of first responders," said Deputy Fire Chief Moisbiell Alvarez in a press release. "This grant enables us to offer this enriching program free of charge to the first 25 students who sign up, ensuring wide accessibility for our community's youth." 

The Summer Teen CERT & Fire Academy is part of the Fayetteville Fire Department's broader goal to inspire young individuals to pursue careers in firefighting and public safety. Program activities will introduce participants to various aspects of the fire service and other public safety careers through hands-on learning and real-life simulations. 

"We’re grateful for the support from the OSFM and BCBS, which helps us make a tangible impact in the lives of young people in our community," added Alvarez in a press release. The program includes partnerships with local and state organizations like Cape Fear CERT, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police Department, NC Highway Patrol and Cape Fear Valley Hospital System Trauma Program, among others. 

The grant amount of $6,000 will cover expenses such as training materials, emergency preparedness kits and other program necessities. For more information on the Fayetteville Fire Department Summer Teen CERT & Fire Academy, or to apply for the program, email CapeFearCERT@gmail.com. Space is limited to 25 individuals. Applications will be accepted until the program is full.

Another academy is kicking off in just under a week. The City of Fayetteville Fire Department’s Spring Fire Academy will start May 13 and run through early November with a total of 24 recruits, including 19 men and five women. The training will last six months at the Regional Fire Training Facility on Tom Starling Road in Fayetteville. 

The fire academy recruits will receive nationally accredited training in Firefighting and Hazardous Materials, as well as North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician training. 

After graduating the Fire Academy, new Fayetteville Firefighters will be assigned to one of the 17 stations in Fayetteville, based on the needs of the department at that time. They also will have a defined career development program that allows for specialty training in several different areas to choose from, including Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Fire Investigation and Community Risk Reduction. 

The Fayetteville Fire Department is always looking for new recruits. Interested individuals may contact Captain Stephen M. Shakeshaft at 910-433-1710 or email stephenshakeshaft@fayettevillenc.gov.