General Information

Since 1989, the City of Auburn has operated a Student Public Safety Program. The program initially included only the Student Firefighter Program. Since then, the City has built on that program's successes by expanding to include Public Safety Communicators who perform E911 dispatcher duties and Public Safety Specialists who assist the police division with tasks not requiring sworn officers to execute.

These student program members are given exacting training and professional supervision. They are expected to perform their assigned duties and are held accountable for doing so. Graduates of the program are now working in careers and locations throughout the world. Some of the graduates are serving as military officers, others are successful business persons, some are teachers, and others are in or have recently completed professional schooling. In each case, they carry knowledge about how local government works, an appreciation for having materially contributed to their own education costs, experience in demanding yet rewarding work, and the feeling of having successfully done important work in making their college town a better, safer, place to live.

Program members are university or college students attending the school of their choice taking at least 12 semester hours of course work. Depending on the division they work for, fire police, or communications, they may work days, evenings, weekends, or regular shifts. They are given time off for class, provided required uniforms and equipment, trained to exacting standards, and are supervised by career personnel. Student program members are paid for all hours worked, are eligible for merit increases based on job performance, and if space if available, may live in a fire station dormitory.

Auburn's Student Public Safety Program is a recipient of the exemplary state and local government innovation award - National Center for Public Productivity at Rutgers University & Public Performance and Management Section, American Society for Public Administration.

Program Criteria

• After training, Student Public Safety Program members must be full-time (12 semester) college students for all but one academic term of any academic year.
• Student Public Safety Program members must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.
• Fire program candidates must display levels of physical fitness required to perform firefighting duties. Communication candidates must be able to make rapid, accurate data entry using a keyboard.
• Students are restricted to 6 years in the program as undergraduate students.

• Pay for hours worked and training
• Paid tuition when assigned to a shift if you earn a 2.5 GPA (for the semester) or higher.
• Step raises for longevity and acquiring advanced proficiencies and technical skills.
• Gain valuable workplace experience
• Dorm space for living in a fire station if space is available.
• Uniforms and equipment are furnished for those whose duties require them.
• Training for required skills and advancement.

Student Communicators work under the supervision of career communications officers. They receive and route calls for fire, police, and emergency medical services to the appropriate agency. During the calls for service, communicators maintain radio contact with responding units to pass information and requirements between units. They perform data input, maintain the warrant files, make computer inquires, and generally assist medics, police officers, and firefighters in the performance of their duties. Student communicators work varying shifts, usually about six hours and average just less than 30 hours per week. More work is usually available based on individual qualifications.

Student Public Safety Specialist

Student Public Safety Specialists are used to supplement City of Auburn Police Division staffing. They free sworn officers from many duties that don't require POSTC certified police officers to do. Tasks that these specialists undertake include writing tickets for handicapped zone and parking violations, giving directions, assisting with traffic control, data entry, assisting in records, and other similar tasks as assigned. Student specialists are trained by career police officers and spend time working with field training specialists before being released to work independently. Shifts are primarily in the afternoon and evening hours.

Student Firefighter Program

This is the longest running of our student programs. Student firefighters are responsible for the bulk of the staffing of Auburn's municipal fire protection system.

Student firefighters are required to pass CPAT and then attend a recruit-training academy prior to assignment to a platoon and station. The academy is rigorous, demanding superior academic, hands-on, and physical fitness performance. Students who graduate are assigned to fire companies based on order of merit of graduation. Upon assignment to a fire company, program members are responsible for fire suppression, control and prevention activities. They work under the direct supervision of an experienced team leader. During their tenure in the program, Student Firefighters receiving training and education to further qualify them for promotions and greater responsibilities.