Scouts Participate In

Emergency Preparedness Camporee

Local Boy Scouts recently learned emergency preparedness skills when approximately 230 Boy Scouts from 14 troops, 140 Webelos from 12 Cub Scout packs, and 170 adults, leaders and volunteers from the Scatacook District of the Connecticut Yankee Council took part in an Emergency Preparedness Camporee on October 20 at in Fairfield Hills.

The Scatacook District covers the towns of Newtown, Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, Redding, Ridgefield, and Sherman.

The event was made up of a variety of unique urgent care situations that the Scouts may encounter their daily life. The event provided them with hands-on experience in dealing with everyday emergency situations. It was staffed by volunteers and first responders from in and around Newtown, including Dr Z. Michael Taweh of Kevin’s Community Center, Dr Michael Giordano, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance, Hook & Ladder Company, Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue, Newtown Police and K9 units from Newtown, Brookfield and Meriden, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, local ham radio operators, and Danbury Police SWAT team. A number of emergency vehicles were stationed at Fairfield Hills so that participants could visit and tour them as well.

The weekend’s theme, “Emergency Preparedness,” was driven home through eight challenging mock minidisasters in which the Scouts participated. Finger Printing and Fire Safety merit badges were worked on over the weekend, as were first-aid requirements for Scouts in the 1st and 2nd Class levels.

Teaching workshops were conducted in the morning, followed by skills stations in the afternoon. The teaching stations covered Splinting, with basic splinting skills; Bleeding Control & Burns, from minor cuts to large wounds, as well as third degree burns; Anaphylactic Shock (Anaphylaxis), reviewing severe allergic reaction with respiratory difficulties and circulatory shock due to insect stings, nuts or medication, through assessment and treatment; CPR and AED, with a general review of how each works and how they save lives, when they are used and why; and Immobilization/Carry/Move, accessing and treating serious head, neck and back injuries, basic methods of transporting victims, as well as when to not transport them.

The skills stations were Drowning, which involved CPR/AED skills; High Fall, which involved immobilization skills; Laceration, with bleed control and arm sling skills; Broken Bone, with splinting and carry skills; Puncture Wound, involving would care skills; Bee Sting, with treatment for shock; and Heart Attack, which also involved CPR/AED skills.

The Scouts were judged and graded by emergency personnel in order to complete emergency preparedness requirements.