Bogota Emergency Services Academy Recruits Get Down To Basic Training

BOGOTA, N.J. -- Recruits for the Bogota Emergency Services Youth Academy had their physical abilities assessed Thursday as part of their possible entry into the program, which officially begins with orientation Friday at the Bixby School.The cadets went through a series of exercises that give directors a baseline of each's individual strengths.

A training class at the Bogota Emergency Services Youth Academy.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Bogota Emergency Services Youth Academy.*

Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis

07/28/2016 7:45 p.m.

Those who remain with the program will have their progress recorded to evaluate the effectiveness of the academy's physical training.

Friday's orientation was moved due to scheduling conflicts at Bogota High School, organizers said.

Recruits were still required to report before 7:30 a.m. at the school's main entrance on Fletcher Avenue.

Each will receive a number and welcoming remarks by Sgt. Craig Lynch, the program director, and Anna "Miss Anna" Geraghty, the program coordinator.

The youngsters will then meet with their instructors and get their uniforms.

Lynch and Geraghty will again address the youngsters at the end of the duty day -- when they will find out which of them were accepted for the class.

The academy's mission, they said, is "to expose the children of our community to the importance of public service.

"Through interactive activities, our cadets experience the rigors of life in the emergency services," they added. "Using the military training model, we hold our cadets to the highest standards of conduct, appearance and behavior.

"Our goal is to instill confidence, competence, integrity and self esteem in building the future leaders of the Borough of Bogota."

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