PHOTO #1: Residents will be able to rappel down the side of a building during the Civilian Responder Program hosted by the Victoria Fire Department. This photo was taken during the 2021 program.
PHOTO #2: Residents will be able to use the Jaws of Life to cut apart a wrecked vehicle during the Civilian Responder Program hosted by the Victoria Fire Department. This photo was taken during the 2021 program.
Victoria residents will have the chance to experience firefighting activities hands-on and learn how to take lifesaving measures during an emergency through the Victoria Fire Department’s Civilian Responder Program.
The program will be 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6; Monday, Sept. 11; and Monday, Sept. 18; and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 23. The final session will be followed by lunch and a graduation ceremony.
In recent years, the Victoria Fire Department has increased the program’s emphasis on training residents to provide immediate lifesaving assistance during an emergency before first responders arrive. Participants will learn how to control serious bleeding, perform hands-only CPR, use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and administer Narcan.
Participants will also become familiar with ambulances and fire trucks, use the Jaws of Life to cut apart a wrecked vehicle, learn how to operate a fire extinguisher and rappel down the side of a building.
Residents who complete the Civilian Responder Program, the Victoria Police Department’s Civilian Police Academy and Communications & Public Affairs’ Citizens Academy will receive the Distinguished Citizen Award and will be recognized during a City Council meeting.
To apply for the program, visit www.victoriatx.gov/fire. For more information, contact the Victoria Fire Department’s Training Division at 361-485-3470 or email Battalion Chief Dana Woodward at dwoodward@victoriatx.gov.