Ocean City “Junior Firefighters” Camp Sparks Interest

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Nathan Gabriel, of Ocean City, is ready for the day's adventures.

By MADDY VITALE Jake Matakonis was quite confident as he waited for Fire Capt. Chris Vliet to secure his safety belt before rappelling 15 feet from the ceiling of the firehouse. “I give it a 10 out of 10,” Jake, 12, of Buckingham Township, Pa., said of his rappelling expertise. “This is my third time.” Jake, like many other kids at the Ocean City Junior Firefighter Camp was a repeat camper. Each year, the program, which is in its 14th year, provides a fun-filled four days for 30 children ages 9 to 12 years old, with a hands-on experience in some of the things firefighters do in their daily duties. From rappelling to navigating a smokehouse to learning CPR and all about firefighting apparatus and stretching hose lines, these “junior firefighters” experience a day in the life of a real firefighter. The camp is held at the Ocean City Fire Department headquarters at 550 Asbury Ave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-msmzcdIUA Jake Matakonis rappels as Capt. Chris Vliet keeps watch. Deputy Fire Chief Charlie Bowman, a 37-year veteran of the fire department, looked around at the busy firehouse filled with kids who were enjoying the day’s events. In 2010, Bowman started the popular camp, which is overseen by Fire Chief Jim Smith. This year, after taking a few years off from running it, Bowman was back to organizing the camp. He sees how it continues to be a success and hopes that when he retires it will be part of his legacy at the department. “I started it because we wanted to showcase our talents and give the community an idea of what we do,” Bowman said. “I thought about how to bring the community into the firehouse. The guys volunteer their time. It’s a lot of work to put together, but it is rewarding. Some of these kids will go on to become firefighters.” And over the years, Bowman sees the positive impact the camp has had on the firefighters as well as the campers. “It’s good for the guys and it’s great for the kids. We have repeat customers,” he said.

Carly Swenson, of Warrington, Pa., prepares to rappel with the help of firefighter Kenny Pollock. Carly Swenson, 11, of Warrington, Pa., waited while firefighter Kenny Pollock helped her with her safety gear. “I’m excited,” Isabella said of her chance to rappel, adding that she was having a lot of fun at the camp. “This is my first year.” Campers hurried out of the department to jump in the fire engines to simulate going out to a call. They even got to try their hand at using the fire hoses. Jackson Hall, 9, of Egg Harbor Township, appeared confident as he grabbed the bars of the ladder and listened as Capt. Vliet gave him direction, along with firefighter Sean Kruger, before he rappelled. When Jackson finished his climb and made the slow descent, his smile seemed to grow. “It was fun,” he said afterward.

Jackson Hall, of Egg Harbor Township, prepares to rappel with the assistance of Capt. Chris Vliet, left, and firefighter Sean Kruger. While rappelling is a top attraction, the campers enjoyed a host of other activities. There was also a search-and-rescue simulation, where the team of “firefighters” used force to enter a home to rescue an occupant. Ocean City 911 dispatcher Amber Adoranto worked with some of the kids on CPR. She stayed in the room to assist while Mark Newman, also a dispatcher, talked to the campers from another room to simulate a 911 call. Connor Bateman, 11, of Limerick, Pa., simulated saving someone on the beach. He carefully gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and also pumped the chest of a CPR dummy. “Excellent job,” Adoranto and Newman told Connor of his simulated rescue work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ymZzdkVYgY Connor Bateman learns CPR with the help of 911 dispatcher Amber Adoranto. Deputy Fire Chief Bernie Walker said of all of the experiences the campers get to have during the camp, “The kids have a great time, and we get to teach them firefighters, EMS and first aid.” Walker’s son, Joey, 12, may someday follow in his father’s footsteps, too. His 15-year-old daughter, Lea, may join the fire department as well, he said. Lea participated in the camp a few years ago. Of all the activities for the campers, Joey had one definite favorite. “I love the smokehouse!” he said and smiled.

Deputy Fire Chief Bernie Walker smiles as his son, Joey, finishes rappelling. All of the camp instructors are New Jersey Division of Fire Safety certified firefighters and members of IAFF Local 4032. Many of the instructors volunteer their off-duty time to help make the camp an enjoyable, educational and successful experience for the participants. Walker noted that the greatest thing about the program is that it is a team effort, and the kids love it. “The firefighters here are donating their time,” Walker said. “This is an amazing community event.”