Summer program teaches teens about careers in policing and firefighting

Beaufort County This Week

STORY 1

From the Island Packet

The relieving platform otherwise known as the supporting structure of Beaufort’s iconic seawall at its famed Waterfront Park is in “severe deterioration.” The seawall is the anchor of the city’s downtown but the deterioration is so severe the weight of a docking cruise ship could potentially cause a “catastrophic failure” — and must be replaced.

Those are the conclusions of a new report and one of the engineers who dived into the silty, murky waters of the Beaufort River to inspect the massive 50-year-old underwater relieving platform attached to the seawall at the foot of Waterfront Park. The report has prompted the city to suspend visits by large cruise ships and begin discussions on temporary and long-term fixes to what may be the city’s most well-known public amenity in what will surely be a multi-million dollar capital expense.

Bill Barna, an underwater engineering consultant with McSweeney Engineers, was among a five-person team of divers who inspected the seawall and relieving platform at the park as part of a five-year inspection. The popular seawall, where cruise ships had been docking and tourists and residents walk on a promenade along the river, was opened in 1979 and basically floats on a series of 570 pilings.

Story 2

From WTOC

How do you make city council meetings shorter while still getting things done?

The city of Beaufort thinks its new manual has the answer.

It’s the first time in the city’s 300 year history that the city has made its own meeting rules. The biggest change you might notice is the council will only have one regular meeting every month and more work sessions.

The new rules came from discussion in this year’s planning retreat for the city. A top priority was getting through city council meetings faster.
Story 3

From City of Beaufort

Two City of Beaufort public safety departments are operating summer programs to introduce youth to law enforcement and firefighting – and perhaps planting the seeds for future careers in those fields.

Future Guardians

The Beaufort Police Department
is operating the Future
Guardians Initiative, which will run from June 17-22. Throughout the week,
students will learn about the duties and responsibilities of being officers and
community ambassadors, and incorporate teamwork principles to
explore the profession in an interactive environment.

In this mentoring program, six
students, from eighth grade through high school, will observe
law enforcement demonstrations, participate
in community outreach, and receive hands-on law enforcement training.

“This initiative connects our
future with our present, providing insight into the people currently serving
our community and those who will serve in the future, fostering an open
dialogue on expectations and perceptions to create understanding,” said Police
Chief Stephenie Price. “We aim to inspire the next generation of community
leaders and guardians.”

Sparking Embers

The Beaufort/Port Royal Fire
Department is offering the Sparking Embers camp from June 24-27 for girls in
high school. Eleven girls have enrolled in this program.

Sparking Embers will cover
CPR/First Aid, the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department, and what it’s
like to live at a fire station. The students will also go through the agility
test and try out the training props.