New Haven, CT - Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. joined Wednesday Hillhouse High school students and members of city’s Police and Fire Departments to launch the New Haven Public Safety Academy (PSA). The program, piloted in Hillhouse High School, is the product of collaboration between the New Haven Board of Education, Gateway Community College (GCC), the NHFD, and the NHPD. Twenty six freshmen make up the first class.
“The New Haven Public Safety Academy program has the potential to serve as a pipeline for New Haven students into public safety careers right here in New Haven,” said Mayor DeStefano. “Students career skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, information technology, interpersonal communication, and writing, while at the same time gaining valuable technical training.”
The 4-year school-to-career program includes academic training provided through the Humanities, Education, Law, and Public Service (HELP) Small Learning Community at Hillhouse High School
Students enrolled in the program will receive academic training in normal subjects and technical training through public safety courses.
PSA students will be exposed to an in-school advisory program during their 9th and 10th grades and begin after-school training and certification work
Upper-class PSA students will take public safety courses and gain professional certifications such as EMT, Firefighter I&II, Electronic Telecommunications, and Private Security. PSA upper-class students will also have the opportunity for dual-enrollment at GCC, affording them earned college credits in subjects such as Criminal
Successful graduates from this program earn students credentials and certifications that most entry-level professionals working in the field obtain, giving them a leg up when applying for jobs or higher education programs.
