by Brian DeRoy

A potentially new generation of Port of Seattle Police and Fire Department members got to learn up close what it takes to be part of the Port’s first-responder team.
The Port welcomed around 100 students from several Highline School District high schools for the “Careers in Public Safety” day. The program’s goal is to help stimulate learning by having students speaking directly with industry professionals about the rewards of a career in public safety.
“The Port of Seattle is its own city and we are responsible for two major assets: Sea-Tac Airport and the seaport in downtown Seattle,” said Randy Hansen, Port of Seattle’s senior manager for Emergency Preparedness. “Our crews handle anything and everything; it’s not much of a stretch to say they put their lives on the line daily. It is a tough job but a great one; we truly are blessed to have such great teams here at The Port.”
Along with hearing from Port Police Chief Colleen Wilson and Port Fire Chief Randy Krause, students got to visit eight learning stations and talk with public safety officers. Among the highlights: the Port’s K9 team put on demonstration to show how dogs detect suspicious packages. Some students even got to know what it feels like to be on the front lines by putting on some SWAT and firefighting gear.
“The whole idea around career connected learning allows students the chance to focus on livable wage jobs and understand how their work in the classroom relates to real jobs,” said Michelle Thomassin, Highline Public Schools career access manager. “This event at the Port of Seattle motivates our students to focus on what they really want to do for a career.”
Job opportunities at the Port of Seattle are only going to increase as these students near graduation. Sea-Tac’s passenger totals increased nearly 13 percent in 2015 compared with the previous year. In 2016, the passenger total is up around nine percent from 2015. More passengers mean first responders keep busy. The Port of Seattle Fire Department expects to handle around 6,000 calls in 2016 and the Police Department anticipates close to 60,000 responses at the airport and seaport.
“Work in the classroom may not seem like its specific to law enforcement or the fire department, but it most certainly is,” said Port of Seattle Police Chief Colleen Wilson. “For the time we spend in the field, there is a great deal spent on reports and documentation. Good writing and communication skills are important in any field, but they are vital for first responders. You are our future generation of first responders and it’s a privilege to work with Highline Schools to make this happen.”
In 2016, the Port welcomed 105 interns from high schools and colleges across the Puget Sound region who worked in various roles at all Port facilities.
To learn more about the Port of Seattle Police and Fire Departments, click here.
For more on the Highline Schools career program, click here.