First Citizens Youth Public Safety Academy Graduates Honored

Stamford CT

29 July, 2021

2:15 PM

Description

STAMFORD, CT — In 2021, the Department of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare decided to offer the Public Safety Citizens Academy Program to youth under 18 for the first time. On Wednesday, participants were honored by the City of Stamford in an official graduation ceremony. Attending the ceremony was Mayor David Martin, Director of Public Safety Ted Jankowski, Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw, Fire Chief Trevor Roach, Director of 911 Communications Joe Gaudett, Acting Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan, and Director of Mandated Services with Stamford's Department of Social Services Sharona Cowan. According to a news release from Martin's office, the academy is a hands-on, interactive, behind-the-scenes program. It's taught by experienced police officers, firefighters, emergency medical, health, social service and CERT personnel. The eight-week long program is free, and is intended for younger residents of Staford who want to learn about the Office of Public Safety, Health and Welfare and the work that the Stamford Police, Stamford Fire, Stamford Social Services and other first responders perform. "I would like to offer my congratulations to each of the remarkable young men and women who have completed our City's first ever Citizens Youth Public Safety Academy," Martin said, according to a news release. "This Academy is an important component of our community-oriented philosophy here in Stamford and is a great resource to strengthen the entire City in terms of public safety and quality of life." Academy participants were provided with certificates and an official challenge coin from the Office of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare, as well as real life experience for future prospective career fields. "The purpose of the Citizens Youth Public Safety Academy is to foster community involvement, understanding, and education by providing an opportunity for our youth to gain first-hand experience of the duties and responsibilities of public safety personnel," said Jankowski in a news release. "The lessons these students have learned can be used if they go on to choose a career as a health Inspector, Nurse, Police Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, or as a member of Stamford's Citizen Services Corps."