By Ron Semple

Special to the Enterprise

ADVANCE – Campers at the Advance Fire Department’s 5th Annual Fire Camp are in for three full days of  hands-on fun and adventure working under the watchful eyes of seasoned instructors.

The Camp be held from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on June 19, 20, 21 at the Station 12 firehouse on NC 801

Captain Ronnie Robertson, who heads up the camp’s coordinating team, said the emphasis will be on “having an exciting time while staying safe.”

Campers should be rising 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade boys and girls. Parents can register their youngsters on line at www.advancefiredepartment.org or by calling 336-998-8181. May 31 is the deadline for registering.

The registration fee is $50 with a discount for more than one sibling. That includes a Fire Camp tee shirt, lunches, snacks, and a family picnic at the station that concludes the camp. Fire Chief Rodney Miller will recognize the campers at a graduation ceremony then and campers will demonstrate what they learned.

Just because the campers will be safe doesn’t mean they won’t get wet. Full turnout gear might not keep them completely dry when the overhead sprinklers used in schools, churches and factories go off or when they are using charged fire hoses on imaginary fires.

Robinson noted that turning off a sprinkler system is “wet business.”

Campers will learn how to don and use personal protective gear. They will be divided into teams that will compete against the clock and each other.

The teams will deal with: operating and breaking down fire hoses; shutting off sprinkler systems; using self-contained breathing apparatus; using fire extinguishers; driving a simulated fire truck; cutting a victim free of a wrecked auto; giving CPR and treating and bandaging the injured; riding a zip line and using ropes for repelling,

The campers will see what equipment is on an ambulance, several fire trucks and how it is used. They also will get a chance to get a terrific view of Pilot Mountain from the platform atop the 75 foot high tower on Advance’s ladder truck.

“No camper will be pressured into doing anything he or she is uncomfortable doing,” Robertson said. “It is perfectly okay to stand on the sidelines and cheer your team on.”

A Red team will be led by Medical Chief Robbie Fox. A Blue team will be led by Firefighter Josh Collins. Both will be closely supervised by Captain Rick Hockaday, Firefighter Andrea Stewart and other veteran instructors.

Jerry Myers, Davie emergency management coordinator, noted that assisting the Advance Department will be instructors and aides from many of the area’s fire departments, rescue squads, EMS, police departments and Davidson County Community College.