The Public Safety Academy at Choffin Career and Technical Center hosted an open house Tuesday, May 16 to showcase major upgrades to the program.
The academy is equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in public safety.

Students enrolled in the program start their junior year learning about public safety, law enforcement corrections, 911 telecommunications and dispatching. Then, as seniors students will focus on firefighting and EMS tasks.

The academy recently purchased new public safety vehicles including an ambulance and fire truck. These additions will help give students an opportunity to learn while working alongside first responders.

Within the simulation center students will gain experience in setting crime scenes, responding to 911 calls and more. Program instructors say students will receive hands-on training inside the center.

"We have a bank, we have a business section, we have a retail section and we have a studio apartment section," said Josh Kelly YPD sergeant and Public safety Academy instructor.

Instructors say there's a great demand for more first responders in the Valley, and with this training program they're hoping to attract more students to the public safety industry.

Public Safety Academy courses will resume in August.