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ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Alexandria Fire Department is accepting applications for its 2026 Fall Community Fire Academy, a free eight-to-10-week program that gives Alexandria residents, workers and business owners a firsthand look at how the department operates.
The fall session runs Monday, Sept. 14 through Monday, Oct. 26, with classes from 6 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and two Saturday sessions from 8 a.m. to noon on the final two weekends of the program. The application deadline is Aug. 10. Class size is limited to 12 participants.
The academy covers fire safety, emergency medical response, department history, administration and budget — and includes hands-on training in skills such as stretching hose lines, ladder operations and CPR. Participants also have the opportunity to ride along with firefighter-paramedics to experience a day in the life of a first responder. Physical participation in hands-on activities is optional.
The program is open to Alexandria residents 18 and older, people who work in the city and owners of businesses located in the city. There is no charge to participate.
The academy is an outreach and engagement program and is not a pathway to employment with AFD. Residents interested in becoming a firefighter or EMT with the department should visit the Fire Recruitment page at alexandriava.gov.
Applications are available at alexandriava.gov/AcademiesCommunityFireAcademy. For more information, contact Firefighter Leslie Palucho at 703-746-5217.
