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Pocono News Section
Red Cross Disaster Drill in Union County
Red Cross Disaster Drill in Union County - Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 5:17PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 @05:17pm EST
LEWISBURG, UNION COUNTY - Middle school students in one part of central Pennsylvania spent Wednesday learning an important lesson. They learned what to do, and what not to do, during an emergency.
From giving out food from the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle to setting-up a make-shift shelter in the school gym, students at the Donald Eichhorn Middle School held a disaster training drill.
"Basically if there's a disaster, this is where it is going to be and this is what's going to happen," seventh grader Phylicia Salsman said.
Salsman was one of 20 volunteers who helped lead her peers in the disaster drill.
"We've actually had a couple kids in our group that have been through disasters, so they know first-hand," Union County Red Cross spokeswoman Pat Keller said.
The students all learned what it takes to handle an emergency situation, whether it be a flood or tornado. They are lessons, the kids say, won't go away soon.
"I think they're very important because they help show how much the Red Cross does for you," seventh grader Hazel Ramirez.
All of the students that took part in Wednesday's session became Red Cross certified and also learned CPR, a life-saving technique that can extend far beyond the walls of school.
"If you're out on the streets or in the mall and somebody collapses from a heart attack, you can help them," sixth grader Alex Liscum said.
The theme of helping seemed to stick with the youngsters. Many say they plan to become full-time volunteers with the Red Cross when they turn 18-years-old.
"We've already had questions from kids about how old they need to be to give blood. They're really looking forward to being able to help out when they turn 18," Keller said.
Wednesday's drill was the second annual event in Union County. It is the only one like it in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. | | |
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