11-Year Old Saves His Dad's Life, Thanks to Junior Fire Camp
By: Kellie Bartoli
Updated: August 3, 2012
Many kids go to summer camp every year - but how many end up using what they've learned to save a parent's life?
Kellie Bartoli met a West Terre Haute boy who did just that, and joins us from the newsroom with his story.
At just 11-years old, there are a lot of things this young hero can't do...but saving his dad's life isn't one of them.
Welcome to the Vigo County Junior Fire Camp - three days for some young firefighters-in-training to work next to the pros, putting out "fires" and maybe sparking an interest in the field.
One of the components of Junior Fire Camp is first aid training and what to do in case of an emergency - skills that proved life-saving for one Vigo County family.
Eleven-year-old Gunner Smith is enrolled in the camp for the second year in a row, but he's not just a recruit this year. He's coming in a hero.
"I was sleeping on the couch because we watched the Olympics and I turned over." I heard something, and then I looked up and he was having a seizure," he recalls.
And that's when Gunner jumped into action to save his dad.
His training kicked in - he knew to move the pillow, lay his dad flat, and turn his head to the side, and then yell for someone to call 911.
"It's great that we're getting that message out and the kids are listening and we're making an impact and they're taking something away from this camp," said camp director William Behnke, of the Honey Creek Fire Department.
And now gunner's back for more, but he's not here to brag to the other kids.
He just wants to learn how to be a fireman when he grows up, dedicating his life to saving others.
"Because I came here and they taught me," said Gunner.
This is the fifth year for the camp, but the first real test of just how well it's working.
"They're learning and they're having fun, but they're also taking those lessons that they do learn and applying them to everyday life," said Behnke.
Adds Gunner: "All my grandma keeps on saying is that I saved my dad's life."
This summer's Junior Fire Camp wrapped up today with a final lesson or two, and of course, a graduation ceremony.
For more information on the program, click here.
Kellie Bartoli met a West Terre Haute boy who did just that, and joins us from the newsroom with his story.
At just 11-years old, there are a lot of things this young hero can't do...but saving his dad's life isn't one of them.
Welcome to the Vigo County Junior Fire Camp - three days for some young firefighters-in-training to work next to the pros, putting out "fires" and maybe sparking an interest in the field.
One of the components of Junior Fire Camp is first aid training and what to do in case of an emergency - skills that proved life-saving for one Vigo County family.
Eleven-year-old Gunner Smith is enrolled in the camp for the second year in a row, but he's not just a recruit this year. He's coming in a hero.
"I was sleeping on the couch because we watched the Olympics and I turned over." I heard something, and then I looked up and he was having a seizure," he recalls.
And that's when Gunner jumped into action to save his dad.
His training kicked in - he knew to move the pillow, lay his dad flat, and turn his head to the side, and then yell for someone to call 911.
"It's great that we're getting that message out and the kids are listening and we're making an impact and they're taking something away from this camp," said camp director William Behnke, of the Honey Creek Fire Department.
And now gunner's back for more, but he's not here to brag to the other kids.
He just wants to learn how to be a fireman when he grows up, dedicating his life to saving others.
"Because I came here and they taught me," said Gunner.
This is the fifth year for the camp, but the first real test of just how well it's working.
"They're learning and they're having fun, but they're also taking those lessons that they do learn and applying them to everyday life," said Behnke.
Adds Gunner: "All my grandma keeps on saying is that I saved my dad's life."
This summer's Junior Fire Camp wrapped up today with a final lesson or two, and of course, a graduation ceremony.
For more information on the program, click here.
Comments
I know this family well n I am very proud of Gunner:)
Shellie S.
August 3, 2012 at 10:08 pm
