Camps at Owens teach skills needed to be first responders

6/23/2010
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    Larry Cser, assistant director of public safety/work place safety and health at Owens, shows Rebecca Cornell, 8, of Oregon how to use a fire extinguisher.

    The Blade/Andy Morrison
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    • Brooke Moline, 13, of Sylvania, breaks the windshield of a car under the watchful eye of firefighter Tony Caligiuri, of the Northwood Fire Department, at Owens Community College's Center for Emergency Preparedness Heroes Youth Camp Program.
    Brooke Moline, 13, of Sylvania, breaks the windshield of a car under the watchful eye of firefighter Tony Caligiuri, of the Northwood Fire Department, at Owens Community College's Center for Emergency Preparedness Heroes Youth Camp Program.

    Owens Community College's Center for Emergency Preparedness in Perrysburg Township is holding camps to show youngsters aged 8 to 17 what it is like to be a paramedic, police officer, firefighter, or other type of first responder.

    The first three-day Heroes Youth Camp sessions were held last week, and a second round of sessions are being held through today this week.


    Larry Cser, assistant director of public safety/work place safety and health at Owens, shows Rebecca Cornell, 8, of Oregon how to use a fire extinguisher.
    Larry Cser, assistant director of public safety/work place safety and health at Owens, shows Rebecca Cornell, 8, of Oregon how to use a fire extinguisher.

    In the session for teens last week, camp participants attacked a structure fire inside Owens' virtual-fire training system.

    They also experienced a mock bank robbery and were able to ride along with a SWAT team; they rappelled off an indoor training tower and used mechanical extraction equipment to rescue a simulated victim who had been trapped inside a vehicle.

    Younger children learned basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

    They also learned about medical helicopters, police cars, fire trucks, hose lines, helmet safety, K-9 units, firearm safety, crime prevention, and house fire evacuations.

    Aalea Robertson, 15, of Toledo, dons firefighting gear while other camp participants look on.
    Aalea Robertson, 15, of Toledo, dons firefighting gear while other camp participants look on.

    The camp program was offered through Workforce and Community Services at Owens.