Owens to host first responders youth camp

Area youths will have the opportunity to place themselves in shoes of first responders and explore the areas of emergency medical service, law enforcement, and fire service as Owens Community College serves as host to Heroes Summer Youth Camp, July 31 – Aug. 2.

The camp will take place at the college’s Center for Emergency Preparedness in Lake Township. The college will offer two separate age-appropriate class sections as part of the three-day camp. Both class sections will take place Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

“Owens Community College is excited to once again provide a continuing education program that brings emergency medical service, law enforcement and fire service alive through fun, hands-on learning activities that are in a controlled, safe environment,” said Michael Cornell, Owens Director of the Center for Emergency Preparedness. “Attendees will have the opportunity of a lifetime to experience the first responders’ profession and how these individuals go about saving and protecting people’s lives on a daily basis.”

The first class section, for ages 8 through 12, will explore basic first aid/CPR, introduce attendees to an air ambulance and discuss prevention of head injury and helmet safety. Instruction will also include K-9 demonstrations, firearm safety, and crime prevention, as well as evacuation steps to take in a house fire emergency. Additionally, camp participants will be introduced to police cars, fire trucks,and hose lines.

The second class section is for ages 13 through 17 and will feature similar topics and activities as the younger age group. The second class will also feature target practice using non-firearm air soft trainers. In addition, attendees will experience a mock bank robbery where they will ride along with a SWAT team, attack a structure fire inside the virtual fire training system, repel off an indoor training tower, and use the Jaws of Life to rescue a simulated victim trapped inside a vehicle.

The Center for Emergency Preparedness is an all-hazards national training facility. All Heroes Summer Youth Camp staff are state-certified Emergency Service Instructors who are active in the emergency services fields. For more information, or to register, call (567) 661-2411 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2411.