15 students graduate from New Britain First Responders Youth Academy

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — The future of law enforcement, firefighting, and other first responder jobs appear to be in good hands.

Thursday was graduation day for students in the New Britain First Responders’ Youth Academy.

“(FRYA) is an immersive experience exploring careers in public service, chiefly law enforcement and firefighting,” said Ready CT Deputy Director Sheryl McNamee.

Fifteen students graduated from the six-week paid internship program, which offered them a variety of hands-on experiences.

“They really had live scenarios, so they were doing active shooter drills, a fire in the building drill, running up the stairs, extinguishing fires,” said Michael Gonzalez, the career pathway program manager with Ready CT.

This is the first year for the program in New Britain.

It’s sponsored by Ready CT, an organization that helps provide students with a pathway from high school to the workforce.

“We are 100% behind the college opportunity, but it’s not the only opportunity, and until you know the opportunity you’re not going to take advantage of them,” McNamee said.

Patricia Vargas just graduated from New Britain High School and hopes to one day be a firefighter, despite the challenges.

I would say the hosing. It’s very heavy, all that water, the pounds of water you have to hold you need more than one person to help you,” Vargas said.

The youth academy is willing to make that investment in her future and others– determined to make a difference in the world.

“I’m going to try to get my EMT certification to finally be on the road and experience it first hand,” New Britain senior Angel Marino said.

Judging by that goal, New Britain is going to be in good hands.

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