Fayetteville Today

The City of Fayetteville Fire Department has been awarded an Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) grant for its Summer Teen Certification and Fire Academy. The program, set to run from June 10 to June 14 at the Fayetteville Fire Station 14, aims to engage local youth in critical skills and important issues.

"We are deeply committed to not only providing first-rate emergency response training but also to cultivating the next generation of first responders," said Deputy Fire Chief Moisbiell Alvarez. "This grant enables us to offer this enriching program free of charge to the first 25 students who sign up, ensuring wide accessibility for our community's youth."

The Summer Teen CERT & Fire Academy is designed for rising 9th to 12th graders from Cumberland County and covers a range of skills from Community Emergency Response Team Basic Training Certification to life-saving techniques like Stop the Bleed and Hands-only CPR. The program also addresses crucial issues such as teen depression, bullying, distracted driving, human trafficking, drugs, gangs, firearm safety, and financial awareness.

"We’re grateful for the support from the OSFM and BCBS, which helps us make a tangible impact in the lives of young people in our community," added Alvarez. The program includes partnerships with local and state organizations like Cape Fear CERT, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police Department, NC Highway Patrol, and Cape Fear Valley Hospital System Trauma Program, among others.

The grant amount of $6,000 will cover expenses such as training materials, emergency preparedness kits, and other program necessities, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience. The Fayetteville Fire Department's broader goal is to inspire young individuals to pursue careers in firefighting and public safety through hands-on learning and real-life simulations.

For those interested in participating in the program, email CapeFearCERT@gmail.com to apply. Space is limited to 25 individuals, and applications will be accepted until the program is full.