Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Steve Amsler of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission's marine safety program instructs fifth grade students from Ontonagon and Ewen-Trout Creek on the work of the service at 911 Camp, Wednesday. The event is held each year in Ontonagon.
ONTONAGON - Fifth grade students from Ontonagon and Ewen-Trout Creek schools, along with most of the law enforcement and emergency services representatives were at 911 Camp in Ontonagon Wednesday.
The camp was the brain-child of Sheriff Dale Rantala when he was undersheriff eleven years ago, and brings together fire and law officials teaching the children about the importance of those resources in their lives.
The Ontonagon Fire Department, Upper Peninsula Power Company, Greenland Fire Department, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Michigan State Police's K-9 unit, Rockland Fire Department, Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, and SONCO Ambulance personnel all had hands on demonstrations for the children.
Demonstrations included operating the jaws of life and teaching the proper way to operate a fire extinguisher.
Rantala said he originally modeled the program after one in Baraga, but since then has added more emergency services.
"This teaches kids what emergency services are available in the county and what they can do to help," Rantala said.
Michigan State Police trooper Bill Witt added, "If even one child gets something out of this to help in case of emergency, it is worth it."
MSP Trooper Jerry Mazurek echoed the comment, saying it is a wonderful educational opportunity for kids to learn about the people in the community who provide such services.
Students also got to get involved in the demonstrations, using expiring fire extinguishers as practice.
Rantala explained 11 years ago he contacted a company that makes fire extinguishers after hearing old fire extinguishers are drained of chemicals and thrown away.
He asked the company to send him the undrained ones and they are now sent to the sheriff's office, ensuring there are always enough for kids to practice with.
Witt added that those extinguishers are also valuable if police come upon a violent dog while investigating a crime.
"Turning the extinguisher on them calms the animal down and does not hurt them," he said.
