CLEVELAND — In an effort to strengthen community connections and foster a deeper understanding of what firefighters do, the Mayfield Heights Fire Department hosted its Citizens Fire Academy.

It is also providing those who wish to become a firefighter one day a head start. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Mayfield Heights Fire Department hosted its Citizens Fire Academy to help people understand what firefighters do

  • It is also providing those who wish to become a firefighter one day a head start

  • The academy taught the class life-saving tactics like how to stop someone from bleeding

The Citizens Fire Academy offered citizens a behind-the-scenes look at what a firefighter does on the job, but it also provided a starting point for those wishing to join the fire service.

"I’m kind of in a transition period with work and exploring different career options," academy participant Kristina Vidziunas said. "I have had some experience with EMS at my house with a family member, and just was really in awe of the way they are able to command a chaotic situation."

Vidziunas referring to her brother she lost to terminal cancer, now inspired to help others like EMS helped him.

"Being able to be that lifeline for someone I think is incredible," she said. "I think it’s really special to be able to be that voice."

The academy taught the class life-saving tactics like how to stop someone from bleeding.

Ryan Gvora is a lieutenant paramedic and has been with the department for 14 years. He said in today’s world it’s important to know how to stop someone from bleeding to their death.

"We hear and see a lot of multi-patient, multi-causality events, such as shootings, especially at the schools, so this program is designed to identify life-threatening emergencies and life-threatening breathing in an instant and being able to move from patient to patient if there are multiple victims," he said.

Gvora said the importance of this academy is to educate the public.

"Everyone thinks we’re just going on fire calls and ambulance calls, and there is a lot more," he said.

All of this also helped Vidiunas prepare for a career path she wants to be in. 

"I mean, I’m really excited to get started with training," she said. "Actually, it’s really created a passion for pursuing this as a career, and I’m really excited to get started with all the training that comes with it before I get hired at the department."