Rockland Students Get an Insider's Look at Handling Crisis Situations

Fifty children from throughout Rockland are taking part in a vacation-week Youth Academy at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona.

The academy runs until Saturday, with children getting a behind-the-scenes look at the world of volunteer first-responders in Rockland County.

Using Flame Sim software, the students on Tuesday worked on a simulated fire ground. The 50 students were broken into eight companies and rotated through the various job functions on a fire ground - Incident Command, Engine Companies, Truck Companies and Rescue Companies. Each student being able to use the controls and talk on the portable radios.

Today, the students will review hazardous material incidents, the proper use of fire extinguishers, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and hand tools used by firefighters.