Cub Scouts learn emergency skills
Cub Scouts from the Pushmataha Area Council gathered at Camp Seminole in Oktibbeha County Saturday for a Cub Scout camp.
The camp's theme was “I'm a Scout. I'm here to help,” and several area first responders were on hand to show off their equipment and tech basic safety skills to the Scouts.
Representatives from the Starkville Fire Department, Oktibbeha County Volunteer Fire Department, OCH Regional Medical Center EMS, Columbus Air Force Base and Starkville Police Department all participated.
The Scouts were also taught a “Hug a Tree” program on what do if lost in the woods. Scouts participated in shooting sports, games and other traditional camp activities during the afternoon. Eight of the 15 Cub Scout packs in the council participated, including approximately 200 Scouts.
“Mostly you get a theme, and try to find something that the Cub Scouts can benefit from, and earn electives and adventures (badges)” Camp Director Julie Via said. “This year, we used law enforcement as much as we could, and the fire department. We also used the Boy Scouts of the area to be volunteers and run some of the games. We feed them supper and breakfast, and the Boy Scouts from Troop 30 and Troop 40 are over our kitchen area.”
Starkville Firefighter Joe Diaz spent Saturday morning teaching the scouts about fire types and fire extinguishers, with the scouts getting to discharge a fire extinguisher at a small propane fire in a flame generator.
“Anybody might find themselves in a situation where they might have to put out a fire quickly, “Diaz said. “It's better to use an extinguisher to put out a fire quickly, than to let it get big and have to call the fire department. There's a lot of common fires in households and places of business and schools, so it's good to know how to use one.”
Diaz, who had been a teacher for several years before joining the fire service, said he had enjoyed giving the presentation at Camp Seminole.
“The kids are great, and they're having a good time,” Diaz said. “They're really glad to get a chance to actually use the fire extinguisher. They've learned about it before, but not all of them have gotten a chance to actually put their hands on it and actually discharge it.”