Octorara Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy (OHSPSA)

Octorara Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy (OHSPSA) prepares students for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, pre-hospital emergency medical care, emergency management, military services, and firefighting. This program is an approved PA Department of Education Career Program of Study and is available to students in grades 10, 11, & 12 in all Chester County schools.

Upon completion, students have the ability to earn up to 92 state and national job-related certifications which are required for entry level positions and earn up to 50 college credits. These certifications are normally reserved for adult learners, but because this is an approved PDE program of study, learners are eligible while attending high school. This affords students the opportunity to position themselves at a significant advantage over their peers in a competitive job market. The Academy is located at the Chester County Emergency Services Training Center in Coatesville. This is a large state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology and equipment available. Students interact on a daily basis with firefighters, law enforcement and emergency management professionals and classes work closely with all local Fire/EMS/Law enforcement agencies.

This Project was financed [in part] by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Senator Andrew Dinniman

Octorara Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy Video

Approved PDE Career & Technical Education Program CIP Code: 43.9999 

 Instructors:

Mark Barto - Email Mark Barto

Rob Eachus - Email Sidney Eachus

Robert Linnenbaugh - Email Robert Linnenbaugh

 For more information go to the "Instructors" Link to the left of the page. 

 The Octorara Area Career & Technical Education Programs (OACTEPA) Student of the Quarter for the Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy is a student who leads by example and is a role model for others in the class for their leadership skills, attitude, skills, and knowledge of occupational concepts 

Open Enrollment For Chester and Lancaster County Schools 

 The Octorara Homeland Security & Protective Services Program is a three year PA Department of Education approved Career Program of Study. The course prepares cadets for careers in law enforcement, corrections, pre-hospital emergency medical care, emergency management, military services, and firefighting.  The program requires cadets to wear uniforms and focuses on discipline and teamwork in a para-military environment. The course is taught on site at the new Chester County Public Safety Training Campus located in Coatesville, PA.  This is a challenging endeavor but cadets can earn State and National job related certifications, which are required for entry-level positions directly upon graduation.  The intent is to train qualified, competent and professional emergency first responders.  Students are exposed to mentors and representatives in a variety of careers related to these fields almost daily. It is strongly recommended that Cadets join and participate at their local volunteer fire company to enhance learning and hone skills for testing.  

The Academy offers students two half-day programs at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus and their academic instruction at their sending district’s high school. Students may enroll in either a morning session from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. or afternoon session from 11:45 a.m. – 1:45p.m. During various national and state certification days, students will be required to attend from 8:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.  Graduates receive their high school diploma from their sending school district.

With the declining number of volunteers in the fire service agencies, Octorara Area Homeland Security and Protective Services Program will be training students to be nationally certified fire service personnel. This program will significantly increase employment opportunities for our Homeland Security and Protective Services Program graduates.

Industry Certifications Offered (80 Total Industry Certifications)

Law Year

44 Total Certifications Available

• PA & National Hazardous Materials Awareness - PA & National Hazardous Materials Operations (4)

• National Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) Certifications (11)

• American Heart Association CPR/AED –First Aid (2)

• Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) Emergency Call Taker (1)

• FEMA Emergency Management Professional Development Series (8)

• PEMA Municipal Basic Local Certification (1)

• Law Enforcement (12) Fingerprinting, Crime Scene Processing, Civil/Criminal Court, DUI Field Sobriety Testing, Basic Handcuffing, Self Defense, Firearms Training Simulator, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Vehicle Stops, Report Writing, Interview Techniques, Threat Assessment

• Federal National Incident Management System (FEMA) 100-200-700-800 (4)

• PA Fire Academy Basic Ropes/Rigging (1)

EMS Year

26 Total Certifications Available

• PA & National Hazardous Materials Awareness - PA & National Hazardous Materials Operations/Refresher (5)

• American Heart Association CPR/AED-First Aid (2)

• National Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) Certifications (11)

• National Vehicle Rescue Awareness – National Vehicle Rescue Operations – Basic Vehicle Rescue (3)

• National Registry EMT-B – Pennsylvania Department of Health EMT-B (2)

• Federal National Incident Management System (FEMA) 100-200-700-800 (4)

Fire Year

49(53*) Total Certifications Available

• PA & National Hazardous Materials Awareness - PA & National Hazardous Materials Operations/Refresher (5)

• American Heart Association CPR/AED-First Aid (2)

• National Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) Certifications (11)

• PA Fire Academy Fire Dynamics Fundamentals - Strategy & Tactics (2)

• PA Fire Academy Essentials of Firefighting (EL14 Mods) (4)

• PA Fire Academy Forcible Entry (1)

• National ProBoard Firefighter 1 (1)

• PA Fire Academy Advanced Firefighter (1-Optional*)

• UL-FSRI Academy (18) (Optional: PSFA Rope 1-4*)

• Federal National Incident Management System (FEMA) 100-200-700-800 (4)

National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Seniors Only (1)