BEAUFORT, S.C. (June 14, 2024) – Two City of Beaufort public safety departments are operating summer programs to introduce youth to law enforcement and firefighting – and perhaps planting the seeds for future careers in those fields.
Future Guardians
The Beaufort Police Department is operating the Future Guardians Initiative, which will run from June 17-22. Throughout the week, students will learn about the duties and responsibilities of being officers and community ambassadors, and incorporate teamwork principles to explore the profession in an interactive environment.
In this mentoring program, six students, from eighth grade through high school, will observe law enforcement demonstrations, participate in community outreach, and receive hands-on law enforcement training.
“This initiative connects our future with our present, providing insight into the people currently serving our community and those who will serve in the future, fostering an open dialogue on expectations and perceptions to create understanding,” said Police Chief Stephenie Price. “We aim to inspire the next generation of community leaders and guardians.”
“This is one example of how we in the City of Beaufort are working to invest in our future by fostering leadership attributes and creating avenues of opportunity for those who will one day stand in our place,” Price added.
Councilman Josh Scallate said, “We are very excited to see this Future Guardian program come to life and remain grateful to staff for taking the ball and running this one down the field. Our hopes are that this initiative will help develop a respectable relationship between our youth and the men and women who commit to serving our community every day.”
Sparking Embers
The Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department is offering the Sparking Embers camp from June 24-27 for girls in high school. Eleven girls have enrolled in this program.
Sparking Embers will cover CPR/First Aid, the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department, and what it’s like to live at a fire station. The students will also go through the agility test and try out the training props.
“We are really looking forward to our first all-girls empowerment fire boot camp,” said Deputy Fire Chief Ross Vezin. “We hope our camp will spark an interest for the girls to join the fire service in the future.”
Councilman Scallate added, “This is another example of how we in the City of Beaufort are working to invest in our future by fostering leadership attributes and creating avenues of opportunity for those who will one day stand in our place.”
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