Local News
Teens get chance to work with police, fire departments
By Patrick McCrelessHanceville teenagers interested in one day working as a firefighter or police officer will soon have the opportunity to give those jobs a try.
“Basically, it’s like they can try it out before they buy it,” said Hanceville Public Safety Director John Duchock.
For months, Duchock and others worked to establish an Explorer Program in Hanceville.
“We’ve already got the paperwork done, we just have to get the people signed up,” Duchock said.
Through the program, which is sponsored by the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, individuals between 15 and 20 years old can learn and train with the city’s fire and police departments.
“It’s kind of like a mentoring program,” Duchock said. “It’s more like advanced level Boy Scouts.”
Duchock said teenagers who sign up for the program will receive valuable on-the-job training, which they can use to obtain jobs in law enforcement or firefighting later in life.
Those who sign up to work with the police department will help with office work and participate in mock training sessions, including mock traffic stops and burglary calls. Teenagers who decide to try their hand at firefighting will get to participate in firefighter training and learn how to use department equipment.
Duchock noted that participants in the program would not be placed in any dangerous situations.
In addition to the training, Duchock said the program would help keep kids out of trouble.
“It’ll help keep them off the street,” he said.
Duchock added the program would benefit not just local teenagers, but the city’s fire and police departments as well.
“It’s also a great recruiting tool ... we can get future police and fire department personnel,” Duchock said.
To Duchock, the program is all about strengthening the city as a whole.
“We’re trying to build a bridge between government and the community,” Duchock said.
The program kickoff will coincide with the beginning of the upcoming school year. To sign up for the program, visit either the Hanceville Police Department or the Hanceville Volunteer Fire Department.
- Local News
-
-
Baileyton receives grant for electrical problems at park
The town of Baileyton has received the Land and Water Conservation Grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
-
Smith Lake residents split on water plans
Residents on Smith Lake seem to be spilt which secondary water source would be best for Cullman County.
-
Signing on
Four local water authority representatives signed contracts Tuesday to join with the city of Cullman’s Duck River dam reservoir project.
-
Couple arrested for chemical endangerment of children
Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two Berlin residents Saturday for allegedly keeping meth and syringes near two children.
-
Accreditation answer coming by early 2010
The Cullman County Board of Education took a step closer to district accreditation this week, though it will be next year until they know if their request is approved.
-
Robots fight to win
Holly Pond High School freshman Jordan Dover was excited when she had the opportunity to get involved with the Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology (BEST) robotics competition.
-
ServSafe Program becomes mandatory Jan. 1, 2010
The Cullman County Health Department is sponsoring a ServSafe food safety class Nov. 17-20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Grumpy’s Pizza.
-
Holly Pond trying to save students from addiction
If Karen Rowell can reach just one student, she will be satisfied.
-
Water on the brain
The City of Cullman and the Cullman County Commission have their own proposals for a second water source for the area, and neither group has shown signs of relenting to the other’s plan.
But after Monday, that could change. -
City OKs junk rules
Cullman residents with very high grass and “junked up” property could soon be fined, as the city council has now adopted a revamped nuisance ordinance.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Baileyton receives grant for electrical problems at park
