The San Francisco Fire Youth Academy, directed by Captain Antoine Davis, is making significant strides in nurturing the next generation of community leaders.
Davis recalls a notable incident where one of his students successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on a choking individual at a shopping mall, showcasing the impact of the life-saving skills taught in the academy.
“Not only was he able to identify that someone was choking,” Davis stated, “he jumped into action, and it worked.”
For five years, Davis, 31, has been at the helm of this free 15-week program, which engages youths aged 14 to 18 every fall at 4936 Third St.
Founded initially by the San Francisco Black Firefighters Association, the program welcomes a diverse array of participants from across the city, all eager to explore careers in firefighting and emergency medical services (EMS).
The academy is structured not just to impart firefighting skills, but also to create a strong sense of community while teaching essential life skills.
“Teamwork, working together, cooking—we eat together every Saturday as a family when we’re together,” Davis explained.
Anthony Miller, a 35-year-old firefighter at Station 17 in the Bayview, shared that it was this sense of camaraderie that drew him to the San Francisco Fire Department five years ago.
Miller also serves as the corresponding secretary for the S.F. Black Firefighters Association, an organization that Davis leads as president.
Established in 1972 in response to discrimination within the SFFD, the association supports the recruitment, hiring, promotion, and training of Black and minority firefighters.
In the 1970s, there were only four Black firefighters among 1,800 uniformed personnel; today, that number has risen to 181.
Currently, Hispanic, Filipino, Black, and Asian firefighters comprise 50 percent of the fire department’s workforce, while women accounted for 17 percent in 2022.
Davis emphasized the organization’s commitment to increasing its presence in local high schools.
“The idea isn’t to teach them to be a firefighter, but we use the construct of the fire service to teach them soft skills,” he stated.
Participants learn valuable skills such as time and stress management, as well as how to confront adversity.
“We hold them accountable for their actions,” Davis added, reinforcing the importance of responsibility.
The academy also offers programs in financial literacy, interview preparation, and resume building to better equip these young individuals for future opportunities.
Both Davis and Miller express pride in their connection to the Bayview community.
“I love the Bayview, I love the people, I love the community, I love the opportunity, I love the grit,” Miller remarked.
He believes that everything must be earned in the Bayview, fostering a sense of respect among its residents.
Davis encourages students to develop a reciprocal love for their own communities.
He remarked, “Taking pride in your community and cleaning up the street, helping the person that you see might not have it and be a little down, it’s about taking care of each other.”
Applications for the Youth Academy are currently open to all San Francisco residents aged 14 to 18 and are free of charge.
The application deadline is August 11.
image source from：missionlocal
