Cranberry Township residents and business owners can once again get an inside look at firefighting operations through the Citizens Fire Academy, hosted by members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company.

The free, eight-week course begins Sept. 9 and runs Tuesday evenings through Oct. 28, with a final scenario set for the morning of Nov. 1. Sessions will take place at the township’s Public Safety Training Facility.

“Any exposure or opportunity we can get for the community to understand what goes into making their fire department work is a win in my book,” said Scott Garing, the township’s chief of fire and emergency services.

Garing said there is no class size limit and is hopeful to have between six and 10 people.

Participants will engage in hands-on demonstrations and learn about fire apparatus, gear, ladders, hose handling, vehicle extrication and more, all culminating in a live-burn demonstration.

Graduates may also choose to continue training and become volunteer firefighters. Garing noted that the department has experienced some recent success in that regard.

“Beyond awareness, it is also an opportunity for us to recruit some new members into our ranks as well,” he said. “We just recently added two graduates from last year’s academy as interior firefighters to our ranks. They liked it so much they signed up to be a part of what we’re doing here.”

Those interested can register at cranberrytownship.org/fire.