Chelmsford Youth Graduate Public Safety Academy

Several young residents spent part of their summer vacation learning about public safety, taking part in an academy that included Tewksbury, Wilmington, Chelmsford and Lowell students.

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian recognized the 175 cadets who graduated from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy during a ceremony on August 1.

According to the sheriff’s office, this is the 15th year of the YPSA program, which is held for children across the country.

Locally, during the five-day academy, participants learned about fire safety and how to make an evacuation plan and how to stay safe while online. In addition, students participated in team-building exercises, watched a K-9 demonstration and met police officers.

Wilmington’s Shriners Auditorium was the host for community day, during which cadets visited with local police and fire officials.

“This academy provides us with the opportunity to introduce children, their parents and guardians to the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office,” said Koutoujian. “It also allows the cadets to get to know their local public safety officials and learn valuable safety and life lessons in a fun environment.”