The Next Generation Considers a Future in Law Enforcement, Fire-Fighting

Twenty-one Pasadena area high school students are dedicating five jam packed days into learning about the world of law enforcement and fire fighting through the city’s Junior Public Safety Academy this week.

The program is designed to provide an arena where interested youth can interact with Police and Fire personnel and get hands on experience of what it takes to succeed in those careers.

“It’s a joint venture between the Pasadena Police Department and the Pasadena Fire Department that allows high school students to explore career opportunities in this field,” said Community Services Police Specialist Yadira Sanchez.

Topics of this five day training course include physical training at Rio Hondo College, fire safety, CPR, team building exercises, and other field trips in the L.A. area, according to a press release.

All instruction is provided and performed by Pasadena Police officers and Pasadena firefighters and is made possible with the help of the Pasadena Police Foundation.

“We continue to have different persons from different sections of the police and fire departments. “It’s changing everyday and that’s really enhancing the young people’s ability to have a relationship with first responders on a very personal level,” said Pasadena Police Lieutenant Tracey Ibarra.

As part of the curriculum, students are taken to various locations including the Pasadena Police Department, the Pasadena Fire Department Station No. 33, Rio Hondo College Police Academy, and the Museum of Tolerance and attending various lectures at the Pasadena Police Department assembly room.

“Team building is the biggest thing,” said Pasadena Firefighter Steve Lawhorn, who has been a main instructor at the Junior Public Safety Academy since its inception over a decade ago.

Students are split into teams on the first day and required to work together for the duration of the academy.

“There’s some phenomenal things that happen when you put a diverse group of kids like this together. They’re all held responsible for what they do and say,” said Lawhorn.

A field trip to the Rio Hondo Police Academy provides these young, aspiring law enforcers with an opportunity to experience the life of a police recruit in the making.

The students are also scheduled to take a trip to the San Pedro Harbor to check out and learn about one of the biggest fire boats west of the Mississippi River, according to Lawhorn.

“We try to keep make their experiences unique. It gives them a little more self confidence and a lot more knowledge about what police and firefighters do and who they are,” said Lawhorn.

Academy participants are also planned to engage in physical fitness activities, learn their way around an obstacle course, and delve into both driving and shooting simulators with real-life scenarios and firearms safety.

Additional courses include rescue demonstrations, rope and knot tying, forensics, a K-9 presentation and various physical agility activities.

“We look at each one of those kids as an extension of public safety,” said Ibarra. “We want them to be leaders beyond the doors of the police and fire department when they get back into their everyday lives.”

A few members from The City of Pasadena Youth Ambassador Program played an integral role in providing assistance in many ways that helped the first day of the academy run smoothly.

“It’s a collaborative effort,” said Lawhorn.

While the teens may have a few more days left filled with both challenges and excitement, the academy can ultimately serve as a stepping stone to some greater in the future.

“When they complete the program they see that they can become explorers and continue to become engaged in that way. We’ve opened that door and that can potentially lead to job opportunities,” said Ibarra.

Students will be acknowledged upon graduating with a ceremony on Saturday followed by a fun trip to Six Flags next Monday.