The Grapevine Fire Department conducts a "Citizens' Fire Academy" once a year. In the academy, recruits (citizens) experience the scope and detail of the fire and emergency medical services.

The Citizens' Fire Academy consists of classroom sessions where recruits learn the history and organization of the Grapevine Fire Department as well as sessions of hands-on participation with rescue tools, hose lines, and fire extinguishers. The highlight of the academy is the Saturday trip to the DFW Fire Training Facility. There recruits experience what it is like to go into a building on fire, with full protective gear of course, see the stages of fire, watch firefighters in action, and actually perform a search for victims with the thermal-imaging cameras.

After a mandatory orientation, a recruit may participate in the Fire Department's Ride-A-Long program, which allows them to ride on fire engines and ambulances to actual emergency incidents. Academy recruits are able to observe firefighters as they work to save life and property. Recruits also experience fire station life as they cook, eat, and clean alongside career firefighters.

From station personnel all the way up to the Fire Chief, the men and women of GFD will share their knowledge and experiences with anyone ready to listen. Interested citizens of Grapevine, who are over the age of 21, should fill out an application,  obtained from any Grapevine fire station or downloaded from this site.

For more information, please contact Gary Cochran at 817-410-8100 or e-mail at gcochran@grapevinetexas.gov.