The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services is accepting applications for its Citizens Fire Academy.

It is a nine-week program that allows an opportunity to learn about department operations and specialty teams like swiftwater rescue, technical rescue, hazardous materials, and mass casualty response.

Classes are taught by English- and Spanish-speaking instructors and begin April 19, meeting every Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Interested residents should mail an application to the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters by April 17.