Emergency services cancels 2020 Citizen’s Academy

Metro Wire Staff

Portage Co. emergency services have canceled the 2020 Citizen’s Academy.

Each year, the 12-week hands-on program welcomes regular citizens into the world of emergency services. The weekly class is operated jointly by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Stevens Point police and fire departments, and police from Plover. The goal is to provide an understanding of what emergency services do on a daily basis.

The program is popular and typically filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Adults in the program get a chance to drive police and fire vehicles, use fire department equipment on active fires, and learn first aid from paramedics, and learn from law enforcement about investigative and arrest tactics.

Special field days also take participants to the law enforcement shooting range for a live-fire exercise, and to the special tactical training site in Plover, where participants can play the part of a police officer responding to a dangerous scene.

Near the end of the program, participants can volunteer to experience what it’s like to be tased.

“Unfortunately, it has been decided to cancel the fall 2020 Citizen’s Academy,” said Deputy Eric Koepsell in an email this week. “The health and welfare of the citizens of Portage County is our highest priority. The decision to cancel 2020 Citizen’s Academy was made based on recent health concerns of COVID-19.”

Koepsell, one of the organizers for the event, said he hopes the academy can return in 2021.