High school graduates interested in a career in emergency services just spent a week of intensive hands-on training this month, part of the award-winning Redlands Emergency Services Academy.
Each year, some two dozen local teens with an interest in a public safety career attend the annual Redlands Emergency Services Academy. The participants share temporary quarters for one week on the campus of the University of Redlands, are exposed to hands-on training exercises in fire and police operations, and are introduced to state of the art simulators. This program stresses the importance of a well-rounded education, as well as the value of an extended education to each of the teens in attendance.
High school graduates from the class of 2018 arrived at the University of Redlands at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, for the 20th annual Redlands Emergency Services Academy (RESA). By 9:15 a.m. they were participating in formation and marching drills and by afternoon learning CPR from Redlands Firefighters.
Over the following week students suited up in protective gear, armed themselves with airsoft guns and participated with members of the Redlands Police Department in simulations as part of their Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) training; practiced police techniques for weaponless defense; fired weapons on the range and toured the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Department.
Firefighters taught firefighting and search and rescue techniques, rappelling, and auto extrication and triage throughout the week.
The course also included instruction in public safety ethics and career pathways.
Beginning last year, graduates from Yucaipa High School joined those from Redlands High School, Redlands East Valley High School, Citrus Valley High School, Orangewood High School, Grove High School and Arrowhead Christian Academy as part of the program.
RESA began in July of 1999 as a collaborative effort among the Redlands Police and Fire Departments, Crafton Hills College, Redlands Unified School District and COMPACT (a Redlands business and school community) to offer new graduates of Redlands' high schools an opportunity to experience first-hand the duties of police officers and firefighters. Since 2009 RESA has been funded by a grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Additional funding comes from donations from the Optimist Club of Redlands, citizens from the Redlands community, Redlands Police Officers Association, Redlands Professional Firefighters Association, several local food vendors, and Stater Bros. Charities. In 2012, the Redlands Emergency Services Academy won the Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government from the League of California Cities.
RESA graduates have gone on to careers in emergency services, including several hired by the Redlands Fire and Police Departments.