Sign In  |  Site Map  |  Comments Home » Departments » Public Safety » Emergency Management » How to Get Involved Getting Involved     The Garland Citizen Fire Academy is a ten-week program that is interesting, informative, and in some aspects challenging.  Participants are given the opportunity to participate in various "hands-on” operations. Upon completion of the program, participants are encouraged to share their knowledge of how their Fire Department operates.  We believe the academy will foster a better understanding of the department's duties, responsibilities, and capabilities in serving the community.     The Garland Citizen Police Academy focuses attention on the values, philosophy, and operations of the Garland Police Department. Designed for citizens, the academy educates citizens about the "How’s and Why’s" of the department, and the citizen’s role in the interaction of citizens and police. Students are encouraged to share this realistic view of the department with other citizens to improve the efficiency of law enforcement in their neighborhoods through shared responsibilities and resources.     The American Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter provides citizens with varying training opportunities, depending on the schedule and desires of each individual.  Opportunities are available for citizens to train in skills such as CPR, first aid, wilderness, aquatics, disaster training, and more.  Citizens can also volunteer to become Disaster Volunteer Reserves.  These volunteers are a vital part of disaster relief.  More information can be found on the Dallas Area Red Cross Website at.     Maintaining Garland as a safe community is not just up to emergency managers and first responders.  Citizens are the greatest resource to a community’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and bounce back from disasters.  The Office of Emergency Management has many recommendations on how you can help.  Organizations such as the Citizen Fire Academy, Citizen Police academy, and the American Red Cross all provide free training for citizens.  This training will allow citizens the ability to lead the way when an emergency takes place. The City of Garland Office of Emergency Management takes pride in the strong sense of community that local volunteers promote within the community. Public Safety OEM Home Contact Information Make a Plan Build a Kit How to Get Involved Warning Systems Resources FAQs