BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Palm Beach County teens are trading beach days for babysitting certificates and CPR skills this summer, and they’re earning community service hours while they’re at it. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has teamed up with Palm Beach County Library branches countywide this month to put life-saving training directly into teenagers’ hands.
Firefighters are showing up in person to teach teens how to operate a fire extinguisher, perform hands-only CPR and spot dangerous situations before they happen while babysitting. It’s hands-on, not just a lecture. Teens who complete the babysitting session walk away with a Babysitting 101 Certificate of Participation, showing they’ve got the core safety skills down before they ever watch someone else’s kids.
The program brings active-duty firefighters straight into library branches for a summer-long series of drills and demonstrations. Organizers say the hope is to make safety training feel less like homework and more like something teens actually want to show up for. More sessions are already being planned for the fall.
“We are incredibly grateful for the invaluable time, expertise and resources that Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has dedicated to our youth this summer,” said Library Director Douglas Crane. “By working together, we are building a seamless safety network that equips our youth with life-saving skills, creating a stronger, more resilient foundation for the next generation.”
Upcoming sessions include Fire Extinguisher Safety Training for Teens at the Main Library on Thursday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m.; a Hands-Only CPR Workshop for Teens at the Okeechobee Boulevard Branch on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m.; and Babysitter Safety 101 at the West Boynton Branch on Friday, July 24 at 2:00 p.m. Teens and families interested in getting involved can check out the Volunteer Opportunities page for more ways to participate in upcoming events.
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