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