It was a busy day at the Broken Bow Fire Hall as the Jr. Fire Patrol made its comeback this year after COVID forced the event to be canceled last year.
On Wednesday, May 12, 5th and 6th graders from North Park Elementary participated in the 2021 Jr. Fire Patrol which featured firemen, EMTs, and Custer Public Power lineman. Broken Bow Fire Chief Jason Baum told KCNI/KBBN that this program has been going on for over 20 years.
“We used to do it on Wednesday nights, but with kids so busy with baseball and other activities, we reached out to the school and decided to this during the school day,” said Baum.
The hands-on activities included CPR and first aid training, extinguishing a small kitchen fire, mock search and rescue with thermal imaging cameras, and small grass fire scenarios. Custer Public Power District also provided two linemen with their high voltage trailer for demonstrations.
When talking about the Jr. Fire Patrol Baum stated that he hopes with the kids being hands-on and seeing up close what the department does, they might one day join the ranks of the fire department or EMS.
Baum said, “It’s just a good learning tool for the kids in hopes that someday maybe they will want to join our organization.”
