Hey kids, curious about a career in public safety? Morris County has a free summer camp

morris public training academy logo
0

If you’re a high school student seeking a challenge this summer, Morris County is offering a week-long Youth Public Safety Academy in August.

morris public training academy logoIt’s a free training program designed to expose student  “cadets” to careers in public safety and law enforcement.

“All of our presentations will be offered in a fun, informative, interactive, educational and hands-on manner in a format similar to what actual police, fire and EMS academy cadets experience,” said William Schievella, the youth academy’s coordinator, in a statement.

Valuable leadership lessons will be taught, said the former chief investigator for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Here are more details, from the county:

Morris Sponsors Summer Youth Public Safety Academy

The Morris County Board of Freeholders and the county’s Department of Law and Public Safety invite high school students who will be entering grades 9-12 to participate in a free summer Youth Public Safety Academy Aug. 11 through Aug. 15 at the county’s Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Ave., in Parsippany.

The academy is a one week training program, whose objective is to expose the student “cadets” to some very rewarding careers in public safety, public service, including county government, emergency services, law enforcement and emergency management, said the youth academy’s coordinator, William Schievella.

“We will be placing strong emphasis on self-respect, respect of others, teamwork and commitment to one’s goals,” Schievella said. “The academy is perfect for any high school student who would like a challenge this summer.”

The academy will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, with a structured, hands-on curriculum that will include interaction with county agencies; field trips; presentations from educators; an overview of Emergency Medical Services training; fire department, SWAT/SERT Team and K-9/Bomb Unit demonstrations; crime scene investigations; Emergency Management Special Operations Group and physical training; according to Schievella.

 “All of our presentations will be offered in a fun, informative, interactive, educational and hands-on manner in a format similar to what actual police, fire and EMS academy cadets experience,” he said.

 Freeholder Douglas Cabana said the freeholder board is sponsoring the academy to build interest in public service and public safety professions.

“Maybe, one day, because of the experience gained at the academy, one of these students will run for public office or pursue a career in law enforcement or volunteer as a firefighter or EMT,” said Cabana, freeholder liaison to the Department of Law and Public Safety. “But, even if they don’t, the leadership lessons they will learn during the week will last them a lifetime.”

Lunch will be provided by the Academy each day. Upon completion of the academy, an official graduation ceremony will be conducted Friday, Aug. 15.

The required application forms, which must be completed and returned no later than July 15, are available online at https://morrisacademy.org/2014AcademyForm.pdf.

Completed applications should be sent to the Morris County Department of Law & Public Safety, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, New Jersey. The applications can also be e-mailed to oem@co.morris.nj.us or faxed to 973-829-8604.

Since space is limited, submission of an application prior to the deadline does not guarantee acceptance into the program. More information about the free summer Youth Public Safety Academy may be obtained by calling 973-829-8600.

Schievella, director of the Police Studies Institute at the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, is a former chief of investigations with the Morris County Prosecutors Office.

LEAVE A REPLY