Kaylee Simons
Elmore Autauga News
Children across Autauga County will soon have the opportunity to step into the shoes of local first responders through the City of Prattville’s first-ever Junior Public Safety Academy.
Hosted jointly by the Prattville Police Department and Prattville Fire Department, the weeklong program is designed to give children ages 8–12 a hands-on look into the world of public safety through interactive activities focused on law enforcement, fire response, EMS, and community safety.
The academy will take place June 22–26 from 8 a.m. to noon each day at the Prattville Public Safety Training Facility located at 290 Echlin Blvd. Participation is free for Autauga County children, though space is limited and pre-registration is required.
According to Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson, the idea for the academy came through collaboration between the police department’s Community Relations Unit and the fire department as a way to better connect younger residents with the people who serve the community every day.
“We’re encouraging everybody to come out and get involved and enjoy what we’ve got to offer,” Thompson said.
While the Prattville Police Department has previously hosted smaller youth-focused programs through the library involving activities such as crime scene investigations, Thompson said this marks the first large-scale joint junior academy between the police and fire departments.
“It’s going to be basically the same thing as the Citizens Academy, just brought down to a level that the kids can understand and enjoy,” said Thompson.
Prattville Fire Chief Josh Bingham said the department hopes the program helps children gain a stronger understanding of public safety and how they can contribute within their own communities.
“We are excited to host our first Junior Public Safety Academy with the Prattville Police Department,” Bingham said. “We hope this program gives our younger generation a better glimpse into the work that public safety does in the community and ways they can promote safety in their own homes and neighborhoods.”
Organizers say the academy is intended to provide an engaging and educational experience while also helping build stronger relationships between local families and first responders.
