HUNTSVILLE -
Participants of "Be Ready Camp" at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center held a mock disaster on Friday. The dramatization was the end result of a three day training exercise. It featured kids from all across the state of Alabama.
One big bang started it all. Where there is smoke, there is fire, and running through it all were a bunch of sixth-graders.
"I jumped in my pants. It scared me," said Noah Kennedy.
Noah Kennedy and about 60 -other pre-teens were part of "Be Ready Camp 2009." The camp was started four years ago by the governor's Faith-based and Community Development Office.
"It's become something that we're comfortable with, and it's actually growing," said Program Manager Ruth Marie Oliver.
Oliver says the three day long camp is an outreach program designed to inspire children about the emergency response industry.
The group used the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks to simulate a mock plane crash. Kennedy served as the leader of the yellow team. His team's mission was to act as first responders and apply the search and rescue, first-aid, and communication techniques learned during the camp.
"It's pretty frustrating, but I have a good team, and they're helping me and stuff," added Kennedy.
Oliver says the kids studied from 7:00a.m. To almost 11:00p.m. most days, but did get a chance to practice before the mock disaster.
"We like to drill, drill, drill, but we also like to have fun, fun, fun," added Oliver.
All the kids showed passion, motivation, and a commitment to the camp.
Kennedy told WHNT News 19 it was the only thing he knew.
"My dad is a paramedic, and firefighter. I've grown up with it all my life. I just love it," added Kennedy.
The kids will graduate from the camp on Saturday.
One big bang started it all. Where there is smoke, there is fire, and running through it all were a bunch of sixth-graders.
"I jumped in my pants. It scared me," said Noah Kennedy.
Noah Kennedy and about 60 -other pre-teens were part of "Be Ready Camp 2009." The camp was started four years ago by the governor's Faith-based and Community Development Office.
"It's become something that we're comfortable with, and it's actually growing," said Program Manager Ruth Marie Oliver.
Oliver says the three day long camp is an outreach program designed to inspire children about the emergency response industry.
The group used the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks to simulate a mock plane crash. Kennedy served as the leader of the yellow team. His team's mission was to act as first responders and apply the search and rescue, first-aid, and communication techniques learned during the camp.
"It's pretty frustrating, but I have a good team, and they're helping me and stuff," added Kennedy.
Oliver says the kids studied from 7:00a.m. To almost 11:00p.m. most days, but did get a chance to practice before the mock disaster.
"We like to drill, drill, drill, but we also like to have fun, fun, fun," added Oliver.
All the kids showed passion, motivation, and a commitment to the camp.
Kennedy told WHNT News 19 it was the only thing he knew.
"My dad is a paramedic, and firefighter. I've grown up with it all my life. I just love it," added Kennedy.
The kids will graduate from the camp on Saturday.
