Teens graduate from 23rd annual Emergency Services Academy

16 high school seniors from Redlands and nearby communities recently participated in a graduation ceremony after completing the 23rd Annual Redlands Emergency Services Academy (RESA).

During the weeklong academy, July 13-20, participants shared temporary quarters on the University of Redlands campus and received hands-on training in fire and police operations, including CPR, auto extrication, 105-foot aerial ladder climb, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, rappelling, wild land fire, controlled burn, firearm shooting and homicide investigation.

Graduates from Redlands High School, Redlands East Valley High School, Citrus Valley High School, Orangewood High School, Grove High School, Arrowhead Christian Academy and Bloomington High School participated in the program.

The free program is made possible by the support and funding provided by the following organizations: University of Redlands, Toyota of Redlands, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Tom Bell Chevrolet and Stater Bros.

The following organizations contributed by providing free use of their facilities: Crafton Hills College, Redlands Unified School District, Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  Free meals were provided by the following local businesses: Harvest Table, The Gourmet Pizza Shoppe, Saverino’s Italian Deli and Market, Jersey’s Pizza, Tartan of Redlands and Chick-fil-A.  

The graduation ceremony was held at the University of Redlands Casa Loma Room where the cadets marched in formation to show their families the skills they learned during the program.  In attendance at the graduation were Redlands Mayor Paul Barich, Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Tejeda, City Council Member Jenna Guzman-Lowery, City Manager Charles Duggan, Chief of Police Chris Catren, Fire Chief Rich Sessler, several representatives from The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Crafton Hills College and the Redlands Police Community Foundation.  

RESA graduates have gone on to careers in emergency services, including several hired by the Redlands Fire and Police Departments.