CORTLAND, N.Y. – Hundreds attended the second annual Firefighter For A Day Camp, held at Suggett Park in Cortland on Wednesday and Thursday.
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The camp for kids ages 3-14 consisted of a hazmat station, a 911 dispatch station, TLC ambulance demo, fire engine rides, ladder truck tours, and a hose and hydrant demo.
Thanks to Andrea Piedigrossi, recreation supervisor at the Cortland Youth Bureau, for giving us permission to repost these photos.
A little about the camp:
In 2014, the City Youth Bureau and City Fire Department teamed up to bring kids a free camp that teaches them the importance of fire safety, what to do in an emergency, and allows them to experience what firefighters experience every day. Last year's camp was such a success that we expanded to two days this year. Day 1 of camp filled within 13 hours of registration opening. Our one day camp is for kids ages 3-14 and completely free thanks to our generous sponsors and volunteers.

The kids' favorite station by far, Piedigrossi says, is the “smokey house” station, where the park building is filled with fog, the kids are given "turn out" gear and a thermo-imaging camera and must find the mannequin hidden in the building.
To top it all off, a helicopter landed in Suggett Park as part of a special demo:
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