Redlands High school graduates who are interested in a career in emergency services will undergo 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 2017 have arrived at the University of Redlands on Wednesday, July 12, for the 19th annual Redlands Emergency Services Academy (RESA). During the morning session, they will have participated in formation and marching drills and in the afternoon start learning CPR and fire safety from Redlands Firefighters.
Over the following week students will suit up in protective gear, arm themselves with airsoft guns and participate with members of the Redlands Police Department in simulations as part of their Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) training; practice police techniques for weaponless defense; fire weapons on the range and learn about pursuit driving at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy. Firefighters will teach firefighting and search and rescue techniques, rappelling, and auto extrication and triage throughout the week. The course also includes instruction in public safety ethics and career pathways.
In this first year, graduates from Yucaipa High School have 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 Redlands Rotary Club, 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.