The Hoffman Estates Fire and Police Departments are hosting a joint First Responder Academy for Teens. The goal of this program is to better understand each profession and encourage future careers in public service.

The academy is open to high school age teens residing in Hoffman Estates and will meet weekly on Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. This academy will run for 12 consecutive weeks.

Topics include: K9 functions and demonstration, fire apparatus explanations and demonstrations, evidence/crime scene processing, vehicle extrications, major crime investigations, fire hose pulls and ladder rescues, gangs and narcotics, search patterns in live fire, NIPAS/SWAT functions, SCUBA, Technical Rescue and HazMat functions, as well as live-action role play scenarios.

Class size will be limited to allow all participants to experience each profession through hands-on activities and discussion.

Participants will be notified via email if they have been accepted to the academy. Interested Hoffman Estates teens between 14–20 years old should apply. Applicants under the age of 18 will require parental permission.

We are currently not accepting new Applications but stay tuned for details on upcoming classes.