AVON PARK, Fla. – September 26, 2018 – South Florida State College (SFSC) will host a First 
Responders Showcase with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Criminal Justice Academy on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.
“As a kickoff to Fire Safety Week, the First Responders Showcase will show our community how dedicated our first responders are and how hard they work to protect and support our region,” said Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel, president of SFSC.
The schedule of events for the day includes K-9 demonstrations, a drone display, and presentations by SWAT, Animal Services, Dispatch and Crime Prevention from the HCSO. SFSC will offer tours of the Criminal Justice Academy with its variety of training equipment, and the Fire Science and EMS programs will present the life-saving methods they use to train SFSC students. The Florida Fire Marshal will exhibit its bomb robot, suits, and trailer.
“This is going to be a fun event, and I encourage everyone to come join us and learn more about their first responders as well as the training they receive at the Academy,” Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said. “We’re really looking forward to seeing everybody, and I want to thank South Florida State College for hosting us.”
SFSC offers an assortment of certificates with a public safety focus, including the College’s newest Occupational Certificate in Public Safety Communication that can lead to one of the many job openings as a 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher in Highlands, DeSoto, and Hardee counties. The College also offers associate degrees in fire science technology, emergency medical services, and criminal justice technology.
“SFSC is committed to providing exceptional educational programs leading to good jobs in all of our region’s public safety agencies,” Dr. Leitzel said.
This event is free and open to the public. Food trucks will be on site to offer refreshments for purchase. Nutin’ Fancy will serve BBQ and related foods and Premier Foods by Judy Brown will serve hot dogs, chicken strips, fries, and ice cream, among other items. For more information about the First Responders Showcase, contact the SFSC Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7280.
