Redlands Emergency Services Academy launches 27th year with 31 recent graduates

REDLANDS, Calif. — Thirty-one recent high school graduates began a week of intensive public safety training Wednesday as the 27th annual Redlands Emergency Services Academy (RESA) kicked off at the University of Redlands.

The weeklong program, known as RESA, immerses participants in boot camp-style training designed to introduce them to careers in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical services through hands-on exercises and simulations.

Participants were selected through a competitive application process that included essays, resumes, letters of recommendation and interviews with Redlands police officers and firefighters.

The academy is led by Redlands Police Sgt. Chris Mead in partnership with the Redlands Fire Department. Mead, a graduate of the academy's inaugural class in 1999, said the program gives students a realistic look at careers in public safety while helping them develop leadership and teamwork.

"My hope is that this program can give cadets an idea of what career paths they want to go through," Mead said. "Some realize it is not for them, but others thrive."

The academy has introduced hundreds of local graduates to careers in emergency services. Organizers say many alumni have gone on to work in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medicine.

Among them are siblings Sage and Luke Bowling, who completed the academy in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Sage plans to become a pediatric emergency physician, while Luke is preparing to enter the police academy.

Sage recalls her biggest challenge was a mental one: “There was a mental block that I had to get over. I didn’t think I could be strong or brave enough to complete RESA. I really used the strength of my teammates and leaders to get through it.”

Luke benefited from RESA just two years later when he discovered his path in public safety.

"RESA absolutely changed my life for the better," Luke Bowling said in a statement.

Throughout the week, cadets will participate in activities including active shooter simulations, SWAT and K-9 demonstrations, defensive tactics, rappelling, aerial ladder operations, vehicle extrication using the Jaws of Life, emergency medical training and simulated traffic collision responses. Participants will also complete a community service project at Cope Middle School in Redlands.

For the first time, participants will also tour San Bernardino International Airport and a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopter.

The academy uses training facilities throughout the region, including the University of Redlands, Crafton Hills College Public Safety Training Center, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Academy and the Redlands Community Center.

RESA is supported through partnerships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Major financial support comes from organizations including the Redlands Police Community Foundation, Toyota of Redlands, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, Stater Bros. Charities and the Tom Bell Family Foundation, while numerous local businesses donate meals, equipment and other resources.

The academy concludes July 14 after participants complete a series of physical, mental and team-based challenges designed to simulate the demands of public safety careers.

Editor's note: This article was written from information provided in a news release from the Redlands Police Community Foundation.