Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith sits in the dunk tank at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office’s Camp HERO Day 2 on Thursday, Aug. 3. Photo provided.

Text and Photos
By Brianna Pitts
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Firefighters countywide participated in activities during the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office’s Camp HERO Day 2.

One of the events was teaching kids about the extrication process. Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Lt. Justin Miller explained to the campers how firefighters extricate people from vehicles when necessary. First, they stabilize the vehicle by letting the air out of the tires. Next, they cut off the doors and any other necessary parts in order to extract a person.

There was also a firefighter-themed obstacle course for the campers to participate in hosted by WWFT Lts. Justin Neer, Austin Miotto and Joel Shilling.

Day 2 also included a water balloon fight between counselors and campers using 12,000 gallons of water, according to Winona Lake fireman, Terry Himes.

“Firefighters countywide were invited out to participate in Camp HERO by the local fire chiefs,” said Himes. “There are firefighters here from Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Winona Lake Fire Department, Pierceton Fire Department, Tippecanoe Township, Noble Township Fire Department and Milford Fire Department.”

The day concluded with a dunk tank with Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith being the first one to get dunked, followed by a slip ‘n slide competition between the counselors and campers with all sorts of water games as well.