Junior Public Safety Academy

About the Junior Public Safety Academy

The Chesterfield Township Junior Public Safety Academy was created in 2017 to give young residents a hands-on look at the public safety professions and to build a lasting partnership with the youth of the community. It is run jointly by the Chesterfield Township Fire Department and the Chesterfield Township Police Department, and the fire department is an equal partner in every academy.

Firefighters lead the fire side of the program: students tour the fire stations and apparatus, put on turnout gear, handle fire hose alongside crews, learn about fire safety and fire prevention, and train in first aid and CPR. Police officers and other first responders cover leadership, conflict resolution, traffic safety, crime scene investigation and demonstrations such as the K-9 team.

At the end of the two weeks a graduation ceremony is held, and students invite friends and family to celebrate. In 2025 the academy was full with 32 students.

Academy Curriculum

• Fire station and apparatus tours with Chesterfield firefighters
• Turnout gear and hands-on fire hose work
• Fire safety and fire prevention
• First aid and CPR
• Leadership skills and conflict resolution
• Traffic safety and mock traffic stops
• Accident and crime scene investigation
• Physical training and team-building exercises
• Demonstrations by firefighters, police officers and other first responders
• Graduation ceremony for friends and family