SWAN LAKE, NY — Sullivan County’s first-ever Emergency Services Youth Academy introduced seven 14-to-15-year-old cadets to the world of local fire, emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement during the week of July 22 to 26.

The comprehensive orientation program was held at the county’s Emergency Services Training Center. The training center is a division of the Sullivan County Office of Emergency Management/Homeland Security and the Sullivan County Bureau of Fire. It serves as a multi-agency training facility for local fire departments, EMS, law enforcement—Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), New York State Police (NYSP) and local officers—and county government.

The first four days covered a wide range of topics: a tour of the county’s state-of-the-art 911 center, search and rescue (SAR), ropes and knots, fire suppression and CPR and first aid. There was also an introduction to law enforcement, including drone use, cybercrime and CSI—and more.

On the final day, the cadets participated in a simulated exercise that “pulled it all together with one big scenario, using everything they learned from the week to resolve an emergency incident,” said John Hauschild, Sullivan County’s deputy commissioner of public safety/fire coordinator.

“It was a great opportunity for our youth to learn, and get hands-on experience,” Hauschild continued. “The academy is a great recruitment tool to hopefully encourage the cadets to join their local fire department, EMS or law enforcement as they become of age.” He noted that some of the cadets are already members of the local fire/EMS community.

“This week was absolutely amazing, with so much positive energy from the cadets,” he continued. “The cadets are getting information and knowledge not only to be used in the emergency services, but everyday life… The positive energy that has been given by the cadets and all emergency services within the county is beyond words.”

As part of the week-long emergency services intensive orientation, the cadets were given a tour of the county’s 911-Dispatch Center, which is located at the Sullivan County International Airport. They also saw the Bureau of Public Safety’s rehabilitation bus, a recently acquired 14-passenger vehicle equipped to provide aid to firefighters and EMS personnel at the scenes of emergencies.

The rehabilitation bus was at the scene of the recent Russell Farm fire, and has been deployed at drownings, wildland fires, structure fires and searches for lost persons. As Hauschild put it, the bus is there for “situations where we need to take care of our first responders.” 

The rig is set up with on-board stations to take blood pressures, monitor other vital signs, provide misting on hot days—and during winter operations, there are portable heaters. First responders can even grab a cup of soup or hot chocolate.

“We have to take care of ourselves,” said Hauschild. “Every person is important to us. It’s tiring work, stressful and non-stop.”

Public Safety Commissioner Scott Schulte has been “a great supporter of this youth program, and has supported getting youth involved in emergency services,” said Alex Rau, 911 and  EMS coordinator. “I could not be prouder of the cadets that we have in the program, and of being part of the public safety team that brought this to fruition. We also have teens that want to pursue medical careers in the future, so this has been a great opportunity to show them many aspects of emergency services.”

“A friend of mine told me about it, and I hoped to get some training in CPR and AED,” said Celeste D’Andrea, a student at Monticello High, a 15-year-old who will be entering her sophomore year in the fall.

Her mother is a nurse in Middletown, and Celeste said she’s eyeing a career in medicine, possibly starting out as an EMT.

“We learned a lot of educational things, lots of hands-on things,” she said. When it came to law enforcement, “They showed us a lot of behind the scenes stuff.”

Asked if she would recommend the Emergency Services Youth Academy to her peers, Celeste replied, “Definitely. It has a lot of good skills you can use, like CPR, even if you’re not going into emergency services.”

Celeste’s grandparents, Lillian and Robert Francis of Middletown, came to the academy’s graduation ceremony. Shortly before the cadets were awarded their certificates, Lillian Francis said, “I think it’s been an excellent opportunity for her to learn about different careers, and it’s given her some skills.”

Robert Francis came to the graduation ceremony as a 23-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He spent another 15 years as a New York State court officer. 

“I think it was beneficial to her. It opened up a lot of doors and ideas for her. It’s a worthwhile activity for kids,” he said. 

Interested in the academy? Watch the Sullivan County NY Bureau of Fire page on Facebook.

For the more photos, visit www.riverreporter.com.