The DeKalb Fire Department is taking applications until May 4 for its four-week fire education course.

Firefighter Todd Stoffa said the Citizen’s Fire Academy educates residents about fire behavior, emergency medical procedures and special rescue techniques.

“Most people think we just respond to fire calls,” Stoffa said.

The fifth annual course begins May 11 and is free.

Applicants must be 18 years old and either a DeKalb resident or employed in DeKalb, Stoffa said. Applicants will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

There are 12 seats in the class, with four or five already taken, Stoffa said.

The two- to three-hour classes will take place Tuesday nights at Fire Station No. 1, 700 Pine St., Stoffa said. Firefighters will demonstrate vehicle extrication during a six-hour Saturday session.

All the classes are taught by firefighter volunteers. Lt. James Zarek teaches the vehicle extrication class.

“Obviously the hands-on stuff like the vehicle extrication is the most popular,” he said.

Zarek also teaches special rescue techniques for situations in which victims are trapped in a high place, a confined space, a trench or under a collapsed building.

The course will conclude June 8 with a small graduation ceremony, Stoffa said.

The city of DeKalb and the DeKalb Firefighters Local 1236 started the program five years ago, Stoffa said.

“There’s been a very overwhelming response the last couple of years,” he said.

Some firefighters participate in CPR and first aid courses outside the department, but this is the only education course offered by the department, Stoffa said.

For more information, call the DeKalb Fire Department at 748-8460.