Public Safety Institute
Whether you're just getting started or have years of experience, Eastern Florida State College's Public Safety Institute has the educational and hands-on training you need to start a career or advance in your current position.
Many programs are limited access and require an increased level of background checks, testing, and screening to ensure you'll meet agency and state requirements to work in the field after graduation. Explore our programs and training by matching up your goals with the choices below and get in touch if you have questions.
I want hands-on training to become a:
I already work in the field or want to cross-over to an added certification:
I want to earn an associate or bachelor degree.
Please note that the criminal justice, fire science, and public safety management degrees are for career advancement and do not lead to officer or firefighter certification. The emergency medical degree includes credits earned in the EMT and Paramedic certificates.
Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
Correctional Officer
Start Date: TBD
EMT & Paramedic Programs
Application Deadlines:
EMT & Paramedic Fall 2025: June 8, 2025
EMT Spring 2026: Oct. 12, 2025
Fire Academy
Fall 2025 Deadline: June 14, 2025
Spring 2026 Deadline: Nov. 20, 2025
Law Enforcement Academy
Due to the demand for training and class size requirements, placement is limited.
Beginning the screening process as soon as possible increases the chance of getting
into the academy class of your choice.
Full-time Academy Start Dates:
April 28, 2025
July 28, 2025
October 27, 2025
Paralegal Program
Apply now following EFSC priority deadlines.
Public Safety Institute (PSI)
EFSC Melbourne Campus
3865 N. Wickham Road, Building 8
Melbourne, FL 32935
321-433-5637
Brevard Police Testing & Selection Center (BPTC)
3865 N. Wickham Road, Building 8
Melbourne, FL 32935
321-433-5638 or 321-433-5640
Steve Salvo - Dean, Public Safety Institute
salvos@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5775
Melissa Walker - Student Advisor
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5637
Barbara Matthews - Public Safety Coordinator
Advanced and Specialized Training &
Corrections Academy / Crossover Programs
matthewsb@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5075
Matthew Jankowski - Public Safety Coordinator
Law Enforcement Academy / Crossover Programs
jankowskim@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5635
Melinda Schmohl - Program Specialist
Advanced and Specialized Training / Corrections and Law Enforcement Academies
schmohlm@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5736
Dr. Jacob Speicher - Instructor / Program Manager
Paralegal Studies
speicherj@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5656
Justin Archey - Instructor
Crime Scene Technology
archeyj@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5777
Lisa Charpentier - Curriculum Coordinator
Instructor FDLE Certification & Credentialing / Equivalency of Training
charpentierl@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5119
Tonia Graham - Criminal Justice Faculty Instructor / Program Coordinator
Criminal Justice Technology
grahamt@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5695
William Klein - Program Manager
Fire Science Technology / Fire Academy
kleinw@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7565
Scott Manning - Instructor
Fire Science Technology / Fire Academy
mannings@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7564
Jessica Antus - Program Coordinator
Fire Science Technology / Fire Academy
antusj@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5707
Kim Eddleman - Program Manager/Instructor
Emergency Medical Services (EMT / Paramedic)
eddlemank@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7612
Jeffrey Touro - Instructor
Emergency Medical Services (EMT / Paramedic)
touroj@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7143
John Wallace - Instructor
Emergency Medical Services (EMT / Paramedic)
wallacej@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5399
Nikolaos Koukos - Instructor
Emergency Medical Services (EMT / Paramedic)
koukosn@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7731
Because many Public Safety Institute programs are limited access, they often require a special application process that is specific for the program. It is important to work with an advisor from the list below when you have questions about a program or its application and registration process.
Correctional Academy
Melissa Walker, 321-433-5637
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 201B
Correctional Officer Cross-Over to Florida CMS Law Enforcement Officer Program
Melissa Walker, 321-433-5637
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 201B
Crime Scene Technology and Criminal Justice Technology
Melissa Walker, 321-433-5637
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 201B
EMT & Paramedic Programs
Melissa Walker, 321-433-5637
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 201B
Equivalency of Training Program
Lisa Charpentier, 321-433-5119
charpentierl@easternflorida.edu
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 201E
Firefighter Program
Jessica Antus, 321-433-5707
antusj@easternflorida.edu
Palm Bay Campus, Building 6, Room 106
Law Enforcement Academy Programs
Screening for Law Enforcement Programs
Brevard Police Testing and Selection Center
321-433-5638 or 321-433-5640
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 101
Academic Advising for Law Enforcement Programs
Melissa Walker, 321-433-5637
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 201B
Paralegal Studies
Melissa Walker, 321-433-5637
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
Melbourne Campus, Building 8, Room 201B
Public Safety Institute
The Institute coordinates the training for law enforcement and corrections officers, paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, crime scene investigators, paralegals, and community professionals who need advanced training.