Public Safety and Justice drill builds trust, teamwork

by Submitted article | November 11, 2014 1:01 am

Students enrolled in the Public Safety and Justice program at the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation took their learning to new heights during a recent educational activity.

Working in collaboration with the Mexico Volunteer Fire Department, the auditorium raise training was a hands-on demonstration that promoted teamwork. A 28-foot extension ladder stood vertically, thanks to multiple ropes attached to the top of the ladder and anchored on the ground level by students.

Once the ladder was steadied by their classmates, each student climbed it and swung their legs over the top to come back down the other side.

“You would use this technique to rescue someone high up in a building or somewhere you couldn’t rest your ladder against a wall,” “said Public Safety and Justice teacher Chuck Gabriel. “It is not used very often any more, but it is actual training that they do in the fire academy. Plus, it give the kids an opportunity to conquer their fears and work together.”

For second-year Public Safety and Justice student Christian Hunt, of Phoenix, the training proved to be a character-building experience.

“This program is all about discipline and structure,” he said. “I wanted to overcome my fear of heights and I was able to do that. Not only that, but this was a good trust-building exercise. You have to trust the people on the ground.”

The element of trust was a key component of the auditorium raise, according to Gabriel.

“You have to have trust in the equipment, trust in your classmates and really push yourself to the limit,” Gabriel said. “We hope students walk away with that sense of trust and confidence.”

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/public-safety-and-justice-drill-builds-trust-teamwork/

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