It’s almost time for area youth to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be one of Greenville’s finest and bravest.
The Greenville Police Department will be hosting their second annual Junior Police Academy next week and the Greenville Fire Department will be hosting their Kids Academy in July.
GFD Kids Academy
Returning for a third year will be the Greenville Fire Department’s Kids Academy, which gives children ages 7-17 fun, hands-on experiences to learn about fire and life safety skills.
The academy is set to go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8-12 at Fire Station No. 8, 2352 Main St. Ext., and there are still slots available for anyone interested in registering their child.
Greenville Fire Chief Ruben Brown said the academy is “a week of learning basic principles and practices of firefighting.”
Children will be educated on how to do a fire investigation, fire prevention techniques, how to perform CPR, putting on firefighter gear, how to perform a search and rescue and much more.
The Mississippi Fire Marshal’s office will also bring the Kids Safety Trailer, a simulated, computerized trailer that shows them kitchen safety and how to escape a burning structure in the event of a fire.
“It’s a great week of education, fun and activities,” Brown said.
Registration costs $45 and includes a lunch and snack for each day, a T-shirt and the graduation ceremony.
Children must have transportation arranged to get to the facility and parents may begin dropping off their children at 8:30 a.m.
Applications may be picked up and returned to the Fire Station No. 1, 532 Central St. Those who want to participate must turn in their applications by 5 p.m. June 28.
Anyone interested in enrolling their child in the GFD Kids Academy should call 662-378-1616.
GPD Jr. Police Academy
The Greenville Fire Department’s Junior Police Academy is all set for next week.
Greenville Police Sgt. LaQuanna Wesley, who oversees the academy, said they have 50 children ages 9-17 signed up to participate, and all slots are full.
GPD’s academy is set for 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 10-14 at the Greenville Peace Officer’s Association Lodge, 1654 Mississippi 1 N.
Throughout the week, participating children will get a feel for what police officers do on a daily basis, Wesley said, which will include running, push-ups, crime scene investigation, patrol techniques, traffic stop investigation, finger print identification, CPR and first-aid training, drug and gun safety and jail and courtroom tours. Children will also get a visit from the K-9 Unit.
“Each day is something the children look forward to,” Wesley said.
The academy will conclude Friday with a graduation ceremony, where each child will be presented with a certificate of completion.
Although all slots are already filled for this year’s academy, those interested in enrolling their child next year are encouraged to fill out an application as soon as possible before summer arrives.
For more information, call GPD at 662-378-1500.
