Middle school students interested in joining the Junior Fire Academy, held by Dawson County Emergency Services, should apply before May 6 to be a part of the annual youth event.

Dawson County Emergency Services Assistant Chief Danny Speaks said it’s an unforgettable — and free — event for a young person.

“We’re just going to have all kinds of fun,” Speaks said. “We’re going to teach them about the fire department and the life of a firefighter.”

All middle school-aged children are invited to attend the fire academy but must first fill out an application, hundreds of which will be distributed at Riverview and Dawson County middle schools. The form must be completed and returned by May 6.

The academy runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 13-17 at Fire Station No. 7 on Dawson Forest Road. Lunch will be provided.

Speaks said children will learn about “the different aspects of safety we deal with as well as the different types of equipment we use.”

Former cadet and team member Max Muldoon said he has enjoyed the Junior

Fire Academy.

“The emergency services personnel worked so hard to make the week fun and exciting while teaching us real life skills,” Muldoon said.

“It helped me to understand the importance of what we can accomplish when we work toward a common goal — the good of our community,” Muldoon said.

For more information about Junior Fire Academy, contact Speaks at (706) 974-1016 or Cathy Brooks at (706) 344-3501, Ext. 255 or e-mail cbrooks@dawsoncounty.org.