SBFD Chief Efrain Bautista
By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Fire Department (SBFD) is launching a Citizens’ Academy this summer, giving residents a rare opportunity to train alongside first responders and gain firsthand insight into emergency service work.
The four-session program runs Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning July 31 and ending August 21. All classes will be held at Fire Station #1, located at 1201 S. Sam Houston Blvd.
Participants will explore a different focus area each week. Topics range from fire safety and rescue tactics to basic EMS skills like CPR and wound care.
The program kicks off July 31 with an introduction led by SBFD Chief Efrain Bautista and Captain Jose Luis Perez Jr. Attendees will learn about firefighter protective gear, fire extinguisher use, and department operations.
The second session, on August 7, covers medical safety and first-aid techniques. Firefighter/paramedic Adrian Salazar will lead instruction.
Week three shifts to fire-ground operations on August 14, where Driver Engineer Gilbert Torres will guide participants through firefighting tools, search and rescue methods, and tactical fire attack procedures.
The final class, scheduled for August 21, will include a full skills review and a graduation ceremony led by all available instructors.
According to the City of San Benito, the fire department responds to more than 2,500 calls each year.
Those calls encompass everything from residential fires to EMS responses, vehicle crashes, and hazardous materials incidents. Programs like the Citizens’ Academy offer the public an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the range of responsibilities and acquire valuable, potentially lifesaving knowledge along the way, officials say.
The academy is open to residents of San Benito who are 18 years of age or older. Registration and a signed release of liability form are required to participate.
To learn more or request forms, email SBFD Chief Efrain Bautista at ebautista@cityofsanbenito.com.
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