WIGGINS — Facing the same recruitment challenges seen across the country, the Stone County Sheriff’s Department has launched a new cadet program to prepare teens for careers in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical services.

Sheriff Todd Stewart said the program, created in partnership with the nonprofit Public Safety Cadets, will give local youth hands-on training and early exposure to the demands of public safety work — while helping build a pipeline of future first responders from within the community.

Public Safety Cadets program

Participants in the cadet program train alongside professionals in various branches of public safety, gaining practical experience and a deeper understanding of the work first responders do.

“It’s very hands-on,” said Lt. Michael Williams of

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