Citizens Academy offers taste of fire/EMS, law enforcement work to public

By Patrick Lynn

For the fourth consecutive year, local law enforcement and fire departments are offering a sample of their training to the public.

Applications for the 2018 Class of the Portage Co. Emergency Services Citizen’s Academy are now being accepted.

Participating agencies in this year’s program include the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Stevens Point and Plover Police departments, and the Stevens Point Fire Department. The academy provides a weekly class to “help provide citizens the opportunity to experience what law enforcement officers and firefighters do every day”, according to Ofc. Pat Stanislawski from SPPD.

The course is free of charge and operates Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. between Sept. 6 and Nov. 8.

The academy will consist of classroom and hands-on opportunities in basic law enforcement and fire/rescue services. Participants will have the opportunity to learn some medical skills, arrest and investigation tactics, firearms safety, use hoses and ladders, and operate emergency vehicles during EVOC—Emergency Vehicle Operations Course—among other training activities.

The course also traditionally offers a peek at K9 training and taser deployment.

Class size is limited to 20, and applicants must be 18 years old and pass a criminal background check.

Anyone interested should contact Stanislawski by Aug. 1 at (715) 346-1521 or [email protected]. Applications will be sent via U.S. Mail.