Red Oak Police, Fire partner for new program

The Red Oak Police and Fire Departments are teaming up to host the first Citizens Public Safety Academy which is a 14-week course designed to give participants a working knowledge of their departments.

The course will feature a different topic each week with officers, firefighters, supervisors and staff conducting each instructional block.

Topics will include training, communications, tools and equipment, crime scene processing, vehicle extraction, EMS, crime prevention, etc.

Classes will be held at the Red Oak Fire and Police Station located at 547 Methodist St. and are scheduled to begin on Feb 21 at 7 p.m.

Program Coordinator Detective Matthew Bratcher said, “I believe these types of programs are vital for a positive relationship between public safety departments, like police and fire, and the citizens of the communities we serve.”

Bratcher continued, “It gives citizens the opportunity to have a front row seat and practical hands-on experience learning how and why things are done a specific way.

“While our department has had some success in the past with a Citizen’s Police Academy program I am very excited to be partnering with Red Oak Fire & Rescue to incorporate information about the critical role they play in protecting the city of Red Oak.”

Class size is limited and deadline to register is 5 p.m. Jan. 31.

Information and applications can be found on line at: redoaktx.org/949/Citizens-Public-Safety-Academy

For more information on participation and registration contact Red Oak Police Det. Matthew Bratcher at: mbratcher@redoaktx.org, or call 972-218-7703. Participants must be 18 years of age and must live or work in Red Oak.