A new program created by the San Antonio Fire Department called Citizen's Fire Academy allows residents to get up close and personal with firefighting.

The Citizen's Fire Academy is a 12-week program that gives participants an in-depth knowledge of how the San Antonio Fire Department works and what exactly it takes to put out fires and handle emergency situations.

"We're hoping they become advocates for the SAFD. God forbid there's ever a fire in their neighborhood or their apartment complex, they'll be able to know exactly what's going on. A lot of times, to the untrained eye, it looks like mass chaos," said San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Christian Bove.

A total of 20 students participated in the first class Tuesday night and watched San Antonio firefighters put out a garage fire at the department's training complex.

The Citizen's Fire Academy class is free and lasts about four hours. Click here for more information.