ROARING SPRING — Although it takes a lot of training and commitment to be a firefighter, Bobbi Beers of the Friendship Fire Department believes that anyone can do it.

Starting Sept. 10, the department will host an eight-week citizens fire academy in an effort to show residents of its coverage area there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to donning turnout gear, Beers said.

“We want the community members of our coverage area to see what we do and the training we go through because some people probably think we just come to the firehall, get on the truck and go and that’s it. It’s a lot more than that,” she said.

According to Beers, the department’s safety officer and secretary, there are many roles in the department that are vital to its operations and don’t involve running into a burning building or cutting a trapped person out of a car.

To name a few, people can serve on committees, participate in fundraisers or perform traffic control during dispatched emergency response calls, she said.

It might be cliche, but all members of the department are part of a tight-knit family, Fire Chief James Musselman said, noting several members of the department are actually related. Others have relatives in other fire departments, he said, noting one of the academy’s goals is to “bring people into the family.”

Musselman said departments throughout the commonwealth are faced with the challenge of recruiting and retaining new members.

While the Friendship Fire Department is fortunate to have about 40 active members, there’s always room for more, he said.

“If you have a slight interest and you get bit by the bug, you’ll be here,” Musselman said of people possibly joining the department after the academy ends.

Throughout the academy, participants can expect to learn some history about the fire service and the training facilities that are available to firefighters locally and throughout the state, Beers said. They’ll also feel the weight of the tools and equipment firefighters use, operate a hose line and — if they’re comfortable doing so — wear a self-contained breathing apparatus and go through a maze, she said.

“In the fire service, it’s not like you walk into a building and you can see somebody laying there. It’s just not the way it is,” Musselman said, adding firefighters regularly train to use their other senses.

Assistant Fire Chief Corey Eicher said he encourages people who live in Roaring Spring Borough, Bloomfield Township, Taylor Township and Woodbury Township to consider participating in the academy, noting it will leave them with a sense of accomplishment and community pride.

“We’re the town’s insurance policy. Why not see what you’re paying for? You can physically come here through this program and see what your donations are going toward,” Eicher said.

Even if people who participate in the academy realize that’s not for them, they’re still going to earn CPR and first aid certifications, which can come in handy to save the life of a friend or a loved one at a moment’s notice, Musselman said.

When the academy wraps up in early November, there will be a recognition dinner and participants will receive certificates, Beers said.

Weekly classes with in-house instructors will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the fire department, Beers said, adding it’s free to participate in the academy. Participants must be older than 18 and need to sign a waiver to participate, she said.

Anyone interested in participating in the academy should message the Friendship Fire Department’s Facebook page, call the department at 814-224-4813, or email Beers at 60secretary@gmail.com.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.