Region – Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian recognized 177 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) cadets from Framingham, Marlborough, Natick and Waltham during a graduation ceremony July 27 at Chelmsford High School. Fifty-one of the graduating cadets were from Marlborough.
During the course of the week, the cadets participated in team building exercises, learned fire and personal safety skills and enjoyed educational games. They also spent time with members of the MSO staff and their local police and fire departments.
“Year after year, YPSA is one of the most well-received community outreach programs we run,” said Koutoujian. “It’s a great opportunity to build relationships between youngsters, the MSO and our public safety colleagues in fun-filled, educational settings.”
“The city of Marlborough’s participation in the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy is a highly anticipated event each summer. The children of Marlborough truly enjoy the program and are grateful for the opportunity to have fun, learn new skills and experience many of the activities offered during the week,” said Police Chief David Giorgi. “The program presented by Sheriff Koutoujian to the children of our city is outstanding and our department is proud to be a partner in assisting with the Academy and providing a rewarding experience for all participants, cadets and staff.”
“This is a great opportunity for the Marlborough Fire Department to work with the youths of Marlborough who attended this camp,” said Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Gogan. “It gives the kids a chance to spend a few hours here at the fire station and see what the day to day operations here are like. They have an opportunity to get their hands on some of the equipment and tools we use daily. This is an annual event that we look forward to every year.”
The ceremony marked the completion of the first week of the six-week summer program. YPSA is now in its 19th year and is open to youngsters ages 8-12 living in Middlesex County. Hundreds of cadets from more than three dozen communities are scheduled to participate this summer.
To learn more about YPSA and some of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office other community-based programming, visit middlesexsheriff.org/community.
