For Redlands-area teens interested in a career in public safety, the past few days have brought worthwhile training.
Redlands Emergency Services Academy kicked off this week for its 26th year, bringing together recent high school graduates interested in careers in public safety to participate in hands-on training.
Each year students spend a week living on the University of Redlands campus to participate in training in fire and police operations, which “stress the importance of a well-rounded education, as well as the value of an extended education,” a city news release says.
The RESA program launched in 1999 and has continued ever since, according to Redlands police Sgt. Chris Mead. This year 28 students are participating in the week-long training taking place July 9-16, which includes Class of 2025 graduates from high schools in Redlands, Yucaipa, Beaumont and Bloomington.
Redlands Emergency Services Academy students run to their assigned positions on the University of Redlands campus on Friday, July 11, 2025. The week-long public safety training for recent high school grads continues through July 16. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Redlands police Officer Mazi Shahabi speaks to Redlands Emergency Services Academy students on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the University of Redlands. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Big Jake, a Belgian Malinois K-9 officer, demonstrates a training exercise by biting Officer Joseph Aguilar, who wears a protective suit, on Friday, July 11, 2025, during the Redlands Emergency Services Academy at the University of Redlands. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Redlands Emergency Services Academy students do push-ups in sync on the University of Redlands campus on Friday, July 11, 2025, as part of their weeklong hands-on training camp. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Redlands Emergency Services Academy students wait in line to tour a SWAT vehicle on Friday, July 11, 2025, on the University of Redlands campus.. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Redlands police Officer Mazi Shahabi and Big Jake, a Belgian Malinois K-9 officer, demonstrate a training exercise as the dog bites student Samuel Wilcox, who wears a protective arm guard, on Friday, July 11, 2025, during the Redlands Emergency Services Academy at the University of Redlands. The week-long public safety training for recent high school grads continues through July 16. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Big Jake, a Belgian Malinois K-9 officer, demonstrates a training exercise by biting Officer Joseph Aguilar, who wears a protective suit, during a showcase for the Redlands Emergency Services Academy at the University of Redlands on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Big Jake, a Belgian Malinois K-9 officer, demonstrates a training exercise during a showcase for the Redlands Emergency Services Academy at the University of Redlands on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Redlands Emergency Services Academy students pass around a SWAT police shields on the University of Redlands campus on Friday, July 11, 2025, during their weeklong hands-on training camp. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG))
Officer Issac Spiegel gives Redlands Emergency Services Academy students a tour of a SWAT vehicle on the University of Redlands campus on Friday, July 11, 2025, during their weeklong hands-on training camp. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG))
Redlands Emergency Services Academy students wait in line for a a tour of a SWAT vehicle on the University of Redlands campus on Friday, July 11, 2025, during their weeklong hands-on training camp. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG))
Redlands Emergency Services Academy students wait for a a tour of a SWAT vehicle on the University of Redlands campus on Friday, July 11, 2025, during their weeklong hands-on training camp. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG))
Officer Isaac Spiegel gives Redlands Emergency Services Academy students a tour of a SWAT vehicle on Friday, July 11, 2025, on the University of Redlands campus during the week-long training camp. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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Redlands Emergency Services Academy students run to their assigned positions on the University of Redlands campus on Friday, July 11, 2025. The week-long public safety training for recent high school grads continues through July 16. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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The first day starts with formation and marching drills along with an introduction to ethics and expectations for public safety professions, the release says. Learning about proper protective gear is also part of early training.
Through the week, students learn about crime scene investigation, SWAT training, policing techniques, and they practice active shooter drills and firearms safety, in sessions led by the Redlands Police Department.
The Redlands Fire Department leads sessions in CPR, rappelling, search and rescue techniques and auto extrication. Public safety ethics, social media safety and career pathways are also part of the curriculum, according to the release.
While some drills and classroom instruction take place on the university campus, students also spend time at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Frank Bland Regional Training Center in San Bernardino and the Crafton Hills College Public Safety Training Center in Yucaipa.
RESA graduates have gone on to careers in emergency services, the release says, including several who have been hired by the Redlands Fire and Redlands Police departments.
