Summer internship shows high school students path to police, firefighter careers

A new summer internship program last month let interested high school students experience what it’s like to be a police officer and firefighter as they contemplate those career paths.

The Bartlett Police Department, Hanover Park Fire Department and Hanover Township Emergency Services hosted 10 students from school districts U-46, 300 and 301 during the Alignment Collaborative for Education’s First Responder Internship.

“This is the first type of internship that we are aware of for high school students that collaborates not only with law enforcement but fire sciences,” Bartlett Police Chief Geoffrey Pretkelis said. “So the interns who are participating will have an opportunity to see all the different facets, not only the Bartlett Police Department from the law enforcement perspective.”

Dundee Crown High School student Karissa Hernandez said the combined experience broadened her consideration of a potential career.

“I am looking to become part of law enforcement, and this has opened me up to maybe even the fire service industry,” she said. “They showed me it’s like a community here. They really are brothers and sisters here.”

Hanover Park Firefighter-Paramedic Richard Cruise outlined the range of internship experiences.

“They’re going to be tested as firefighters, so the first thing is forcible entry and then there’s going to be some hose line advancements,” he said. “Should be fun. We’re all here to have fun and go through the basics of the entry-level firefighter.”

Hanover Park Fire Chief Eric Fors told the participants that any uncertainty they felt about their career path could be erased by earning their Emergency Medical Technician certification at a young age and making themselves eligible to be a firefighter.

“If it is your reality, if you like what you see this week, don’t lose track of that,” he said. “Keep that as a goal, and really just take away and remember that we’re always here for you guys, too.”

The Alignment Collaborative for Education aims to align community resources to shape responsible members of society and advance the well-being of the communities served by school districts U-46, 300, and 301.