News and Announcements
Police and Firefighter Training for MMSA Students
Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy opening enrollement to interested MMSA Sophomores
By Julie Ayala '11The Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy (CPFTA) is an after school program that meets Monday through Wednesday from 4-6 pm. It gives students the opportunity to learn about law enforcement, fire science, criminal justice and public safety. Students go to either the Chicago Police Education & Training Academy (1300 West Jackson) or the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy (558 West DeKoven).
CPFTA is a two year program for juniors and seniors. Students must start applying their sophomore during February. Juniors and seniors take turns going to either the police or firefighter academy for one semester. During each academy, the students take classes learning the basic material needed to know for either career. It includes taking tests and having homework.
The CPFTA benefits the students who are involved in it. It provides financial assistance in attending a City College of Chicago to complete their associate’s degree. Also it includes a paid summer internship between the students’ junior and senior year. Seniors have the option of taking Emergency Medical Training- Basics (EMT-B) classes instead of the police or firefighter classes. CPFTA provides transportation assistance (to and from the academy), uniforms, and after school snacks. It also helps cadets keep in shape by doing exercises everyday for thirty minutes.
MMSA Junior Arnisha Yates also participates in CPFTA. Yates says she first discovered about the academy through a letter in the mail telling her the requirements and benefits. “It’s hard to go to a program after a long hard day at school and especially since they are much stricter” says Yates. Yet she still goes because of the positive influence it brings her and the help with financial aid for college.
There are entrance requirements for joining CPFTA. You must be a sophomore, Chicago resident, and have a 2.0 GPA or better. For more entrance requirements go to http://www.cpfta.com/entrance_requirements.asp.