Public Safety

There is always something going on at the Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center (PSTC). Whether it’s program students mastering hands-on skills, a middle school group taking a tour, or an agency conducting training for current public safety professionals, the facility is a busy place. In 2025, the PSTC celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Over the past decade, Tim Hufschmid has guided hundreds of recruits as director of the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy. Earlier this month, he led his final full academy, closing out 32 classes and 840 graduates. What made this class especially meaningful was not just the milestone, but who was among the recruits. Tim’s son, Aidan,

Margarita Velasco grew up in Fond du Lac and chose to build her life and career there. After starting in finance, Margarita returned to school to pursue her dream of becoming a police officer. At FVTC, she earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice and immediately entered the FVTC Law Enforcement Recruit Academy, sponsored by

“I was in this classroom doing the scenario, and the next thing I remember is Les James yelling at me to wake up… wake up.” Longtime Emergency Medical Services (EMS) adjunct instructor Karl Arps recounts the moment when life took a dramatic turn for him and his students. He was in the back of a

Career Program: Criminal JusticeOriginally From: North Fond du LacCurrent Residence: North Fond du LacYear Started at FVTC: Spring 2025 Why did you choose this career program? I was unhappy in my previous career and decided to make a change. Coming from a family of public servants, mostly firefighters, I felt the need to serve and after discussions with my family policing

The National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) of Fox Valley Technical College proudly supports Tribal Nations by building on their inherent strengths through training, technical assistance and strategic planning. NCJTC has long-standing partnerships with some of the nation’s leading providers in areas of Tribal justice, law enforcement, child safety and victim services. Programs include: Recent

Several new transfer agreements with UW-Green Bay are making it easier and more affordable for FVTC students to earn a bachelor’s degree. Announced during National Transfer Student Week, the pathways are designed to help students in several Public Safety and Business programs move seamlessly into four-year degrees at UW-Green Bay. Criminal Justice: A Fast Track

When Dave McFadden came to Fox Valley Technical College in 1974, he did not know he was about to spend the next 50-plus years helping shape one of the most respected fire protection programs in the Midwest. At the time, FVTC’s fire protection training was just getting started, “We had almost nothing,” Dave explains. “We

When Mike Arendt, a Chilton educator and football coach, decided to pursue emergency medical training, it wasn’t for a career change. It was to be ready when someone needed help the most. Born in Port Washington, Wisconsin, and a graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a degree in Physical Education, the now Chilton-based teacher has built his