Developing a Public Safety I Program Along the new LAPSEN Guidelines.

CHIEF (RET.) LEE SUDIA

BLUE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL AND EARLY COLLEGE

The “Old System”

• Under the “OLD” system, we taught Public Safety I with equal emphasis on careers in the Fire Service, Law Enforcement ,EMS, Private Security, Corrections and Detention, Emergency Management and the Court System.
• Additional emphasis was placed on Credentialing students with IS-100,200,700 and 800 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• This credentialing was not only required for any job in Fire, Law Enforcement and EMS, but is also recommended for many other jobs in both the public and private sectors.

The “NEW” System with LAPSEN

• While under the “New System” each area is still covered, I think that everyone will agree that some of the emphasis has shifted somewhat.
• Now there seems to be more curriculum based on the law, law enforcement, arrest, search and seizure and courtroom procedures.
• In an effort to provide students with the guidance, classroom instruction and preparation for testing for the LAPSEN certification, additional emphasis must be placed in some of the following areas. Criminal and Civil Law, Courtroom Procedure and the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States and the impact of those Amendments on the individual person’s rights.
• But ample time still needs to be set aside for IS- 100,200,700 and 800.

Developing Analytical Skills

• To be totally honest, and saying it as politically correct (An oxymoron), in my delivery as I may, I will say that most of our student’s analytical skill are “Less Than Adequate”.
• They and We have failed to develop their analytical skills, mainly due to the present belief in “Immediate Educational Gratification” that is being forced on us today by most school system administrations. Our students fail to develop analytical skills or problem solving skills because it’s easier to touch a button on a computer or phone to derive an answer.
• During our delivery of this program, WE MUST STRIVE TO DEVELOP STUDENT ANALYTICAL and PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS!!!!!!!!!!

Now that I am off my 1^st Soapbox….

• Let’s talk bout the delivery of the program as a whole.
• Student’s must be interested or made to be interested in the materials.
• Student’s must see some useful aspect to what is being taught.
• While guest speakers are great to use, they should be limited to maybe 3 or 4 a semester to maintain consistency of delivery of materials by the teacher.
• TEACH THE CLASS, Don’t rely on videos to do your job for you. They Won’t.
• Using experiences is important but don’t get bogged down with “War Stories”. Most kids won’t understand what you’re talking about anyway.

Delivery of the Program (cont’d)

• Put something in their hands, use a textbook, don’t rely on a computer.
• The text I have compiled is on a word document so it may be printed as much as you like.
• Make kids put their phones and their computers away during your class. Very rarely will they have “Instant Answer Gratification” a subsection of “Instant Educational Gratification” on an incident. Make them think when you give them problems to solve.
• Go Complex on the problems, you’ll be surprised how much your kids will know when prodded in the right direction.
• Make them follow the “Problem Solving Model” with everything they do for you and in your class.

Delivering the Program (Cont’d)

• Building Teamwork is essential, skills in teamwork will aid students in understanding unified command, the need for command and unity of command, division of labor and span of control.
• Use of props such as tabletop cities with small fire engines to run tabletop command drills. Copier paper boxes turned upside down with a cup of water on the box, supplying jenga blocks and wedges. Class assignment: raise the box a certain number of inches off the floor without spilling the water. Reinforces the need for supply, logistics, planning and that someone has to make decisions. Also it reinforces that there may be more than 1 right way. It also teaches how diversity of backgrounds influences views and approaches to problem solving.

Delivery of the Program (Cont’d)

• To demonstrate and reinforce the Supreme Court of the US, break the class into teams of Justices, make them render an opinion after the class discusses two sides of an issue such as Prohibition, Roe V. Wade, Miranda V. Arizona, Michigan V. Tyler or Michigan V. Clifford.
• In order to talk about evidence collection and chain of custody, fill out an evidence sheet and practice chain of custody role plays.
• Talk about “Fruits of the Poisonous Tree” and their impact on cases.
• Have an Evidence Tech come to school, to demonstrate fingerprinting, then let the students try their hand at it.

Delivery of the Program (Cont’d)

• Fire Service: Have the Local FD come out with an Engine, Ladder and a Squad, explain the differences in the equipment, their jobs and demonstrate victim removal from a vehicle to demonstrate division of labor and the coordination and need for Command. Let the students handle a 1-3/4 “ attack line with a fog nozzle.
• EMS could bring a transport or QRV unit out and demonstrate some of the equipment they carry. They could also do a “Mock Code” on a Code Dummy, to heighten interest in their profession and how it could lead to a PA degree, Nursing degree or possibly Med School.
• Law Enforcement could bring a K-9 and handler out and demonstrate search with the dog and the dog alerting. Or contact Wildlife and let one of the Enforcement Officers and their K-9 come out.

Support of YOUR LEA

• Every School District and Administration wants as many classes as possible available to their students; However, not every district wants or even understands the costs associated with CTE Programs of this nature.
• If you are running a Public Safety, Fire EMT or Law Enforcement Program, particularly if you are starting that program up, it will reduce confusion and frustration if you supply the LEA you’re working for with a needs list. Particularly if an on-site training area and props are needed.
• Coordination with your local emergency services agencies is crucial for the success of your program, whether Public Safety, Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement or Emergency Management.

Educate Your Co-Workers and Administrators

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• Remember you are the professional in your area of expertise. While co-workers and administrators think they know what we do, if they don’t live it, they really don’t understand.
• Speak up, don’t be a sheep, fight for your kids and your program.
• Market your program internally and externally. Internally, inside your school and externally in other schools that feed into your school, market with your local Emergency Services agencies and with local business and industry, especially those that have GRANT programs.

Hold Your Student Accountable

• Have a “No Cell Phone” Rule in your class. The student’s attention span will be better.
• Treat your students like adults. If they violate the rules make sure they receive the consequences. They will respect you for that……..
• Set the Bar High! The higher You set the expectations, the better they will do!
• Communicate your expectations clearly to your students.
• Acknowledge and Award the student’s accomplishments!
• Put them in some form of “Uniform”. Class T-shirts, sweat shirts, polos or job shirts, blue jeans or khakis and black shoes. One day a week.

Expand Your Student’s Horizons

• Take time to prepare your students for the interview process for a career position. Teach them HOW to fill out an application, HOW to dress, How to sit and HOW to verbally respond. Many students have NEVER went through this process before…… Prepare Them…..
• Add a “Dress for Success” day for your students where once a month, they dress for school as if they were dressing for an interview. You will be amazed at the difference in their behavior. Complement them no matter the minimum change that may take place in their appearance. It might be all they can afford.
• Ask your Co-Workers and Administrators to make positive comments about your CADETS when they are in uniform of dressing for success.

Don’t Forget to “Lead by Example”

• Wear a “Uniform” with them on uniform days.
• Dress for Success in a suit and tie or sports coat and tie or business suit for the ladies on those days. Give the students and possibly your co-workers an example of appropriate attire.
• Most of all…………HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!! When you are able to have fun with what you’re doing in class, it’s no longer a JOB but an ADVENTURE for YOU and YOUR STUDENTS.

Contact Information

• Chief (Ret.) Lee Sudia
• PO Box 471, Glenville NC 28736
• School Phone: Blue Ridge High and Early College (828) 743-2646 ext.1363
• Cell Phone: (252) 458-3687
• Email: lsudia@jcpsmail.org