On June 13th and July 3, 2014 Charlotte County E9-1-1 participated in the Jr. Law Academy. This was the 2nd annual Jr. Law Academy sponsored by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. The program is primarily for kids in middle school, ages 11 to 14. There are approximately 40 participants per session. Further information regarding future camp participation is provided below.
During the course of the academy, topics regarding law enforcement operations and overall public safety are presented. Diane Barton, E9-1-1 Database Analyst, along with Public Safety Telecommunicators, Bethanne Alexin and Jamie Risi, had an opportunity to present information about 9-1-1. Diane conducted the classroom portion of the presentation, while Operators, Alexin and Risi provided tours of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Dispatch Center.
At the beginning of the presentation, Diane was able acquire information regarding the campers’ knowledge and experience related to 9-1-1. It was learned that few had called 9-1-1 for help and others called by accident. Most did not know what the operator needed from them when they call 9-1-1.
During the presentation, the campers learned information regarding proper use of 9-1-1, what “is” and “is not” an emergency, and information required by an operator when making that emergency call. They were presented with information regarding the different types of devices that may be used to contact 9-1-1 and the benefits and short comings of some of these devices. At the conclusion of the presentation the campers were broken into groups where they had an opportunity to show what they learned about 9-1-1 by drawing a poster. One group poster from each session was selected by the public safety telecommunicators to appear on this website. The winning posters are shown below.
As they worked on the posters each group participated in a tour of the dispatch center where they were able to see the activity of a live 9-1-1 center. They learned some of the technology that is used daily when receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls for all three disciplines, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services.
This was a great opportunity for the E911 Office to reach out to students in Charlotte County as part of our public outreach efforts and we look forward to working with future academies. If you are interested in having your son or daughter participate next year or would like additional information please contact:
DFC David W. Sonne, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
School Resource Officer, L.A.Ainger Middle School
941 697 5800 x 203, David.Sonne @ccso.org
