YORK, S.C. (WBTV) – Kids in the City of York got to learn how first responders work during emergency situations.
The York Police Department hosted kids from around the area, teaching them about what they see and do every day.
“We need them in the community, and they want our trust,” said two campers, Grace Bell and Andrew Martinez.
School may be out, but kids at the camp are still learning. They may be young, but they know how much first responders are needed in the community.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were more than 143,000 traffic collisions in 2022. Those stats inspired York Police Department Lieutenant Dale Edwards to start a community camp for kids, teaching them about emergencies before they happen.
“Statistically speaking, these kids are going to be involved in or very close to a collision at some time in their lives,” Lt. Edwards said.,
Kids got hands-on and learned more about how rescues work
“A lot of new stuff,” said camper, Noel Gilmore.
“Yeah, but we didn’t know about what, like what the rescue people can help us with,” responded camper Nicholas Rawlinson.
This free camp taught around 40 kids what police do, they learned about EMS, they got a fire car rescue demonstration, and learned about emergency management.
“We coordinate between all the different agencies, and it’s really important for you guys to see that there are plans and stuff — so we plan for everything,” Jacob Hughes with York County Emergency Management said.
The finale was a helicopter rescue team flying in to bring the point home.
It was important to Edwards that the kids get familiar with all the equipment, sights, and sounds they could see in an emergency.
“You’ve got sirens, over talk, you know you hear the officers and the first responder screaming to get their communication,” Hughes said. “So, these kids get a chance to see it in a calm atmosphere and realize it might not be as bad as it looks.”
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