Campers to Learn Emergency Preparedness

Written by Theresa Katalinas

Kids at an Upper Moreland camp will get a first-hand look at emergency response and preparedness on Tuesday when local firefighters, police and ambulance crews stop by.

Meg Neitz, the camp’s program manager, said she got the idea for Emergency Services Day while surfing the ‘Net. 

“Why don’t we get our local people to come and prepare our kids just in case of an emergency?” Neitz said she remembers thinking.

On Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., first responders from Willow Grove Fire Co., Upper Moreland Police Department, Second Alarmers Rescue Squad–which has stations in Willow Grove and Hatboro–as well as medical professionals from Abington Memorial Hospital will teach kids the ins and outs of what they do, what to do in an emergency, but mostly to “take away the fear that most kids have in an emergency situation,” according to Neitz.

Various stations will be set up and the camp’s 150 pre-school through sixth-grade campers from Upper Moreland, Hatboro, Horsham and beyond, will rotate to each throughout the event, she said. Members of Willow Grove Fire Co. will be there with an engine set up for a “static display,” according to Fire Chief Brian Focht.

“We’re just really excited about it,” Neitz said.