Inspired by his nurse mother, Gabriel Schaller knew exactly want he wanted to do when he graduated from Cocoa High School this week.“It touches my heart being able to care for people I don’t even know and being able to have a lot of dedication and care, helping them. And that was the moment when I knew it was firefighting that I wanted to do,” Schaller said.In just a few months, Schaller will be training to do just that.He’s one of four Cocoa High School seniors who received sponsorships from the city to attend the fire and police academies.They are worth about $10,000 for the six months to a year of training.Jerrll Duppins is heading to the police academy in July.“I’m from Cocoa, I love Cocoa. I see a lot of bad out there that I really want to get it off the streets,” Duppins said. Based on the enthusiasm of the students and the caliber of the applicants, Cocoa city officials are confident with the inaugural year of these public safety sponsorships. It’s also something the city really needs since, right now, there are six openings in the fire department and five vacancies for police officers.It’s not just Cocoa. Difficulties recruiting public safety professionals is a nationwide issue.“One of the things that hurts us as a small community, it hits us even harder,” said Cocoa City Fire Department Chief Jonathan Lamm.That’s why the sponsorship program was started by going directly to the high school and assisting those who want to enter the profession but need help.“I think we are going to see two scholarships go to 10 scholarships go to 20 scholarships. I want it to be the problem, ‘Where do we get the find that funding now to support all these young men and women that want to serve in their community?’” Lamm said.Top headlines: ‘Doublix’: Side-by-side Publix stores puzzle residents of Florida town Massive hole forces Ocala business to close ‘Life of redemption’: Florida woman sent to prison for murder at age 13 dedicates life to mentorship, advocacy
Inspired by his nurse mother, Gabriel Schaller knew exactly want he wanted to do when he graduated from Cocoa High School this week.
“It touches my heart being able to care for people I don’t even know and being able to have a lot of dedication and care, helping them. And that was the moment when I knew it was firefighting that I wanted to do,” Schaller said.
In just a few months, Schaller will be training to do just that.
He’s one of four Cocoa High School seniors who received sponsorships from the city to attend the fire and police academies.
They are worth about $10,000 for the six months to a year of training.
Jerrll Duppins is heading to the police academy in July.
“I’m from Cocoa, I love Cocoa. I see a lot of bad out there that I really want to get it off the streets,” Duppins said.
Based on the enthusiasm of the students and the caliber of the applicants, Cocoa city officials are confident with the inaugural year of these public safety sponsorships.
It’s also something the city really needs since, right now, there are six openings in the fire department and five vacancies for police officers.
It’s not just Cocoa. Difficulties recruiting public safety professionals is a nationwide issue.
“One of the things that hurts us as a small community, it hits us even harder,” said Cocoa City Fire Department Chief Jonathan Lamm.
That’s why the sponsorship program was started by going directly to the high school and assisting those who want to enter the profession but need help.
“I think we are going to see two scholarships go to 10 scholarships go to 20 scholarships. I want it to be the problem, ‘Where do we get the find that funding now to support all these young men and women that want to serve in their community?’” Lamm said.
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