The week of July 21–25, 2025, marked a milestone for youth engagement in Currituck County with the inaugural Youth Public Safety Camp, hosted by Currituck County Fire-EMS in partnership with a full spectrum of local and regional public safety agencies. Over five immersive days, twenty campers, ages 10–15, gained rare behind-the-scenes access to the work of firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency managers, dispatchers, medics, and military responders.
The camp was designed to provide hands-on learning, leadership development, and public service exposure. Each day provided campers with unique experiences with the various public safety agencies.
On Monday, July 21, campers toured the 911 Communications Center, heard actual call recordings, and learned how dispatchers coordinate emergency response. They also participated in a team-based communication drill using Legos to underscore the value of clear, concise information sharing. Campers met with the Emergency Management Department staff and visited the Emergency Operations Center, where they were introduced to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.
Tuesday, July 22, saw the campers enjoy a “Law Enforcement Day” with the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office. They learned about the justice system, from a traffic stop to a mock court process. Campers also visited holding cells, toured department facilities, met with Sheriff Matt Beickert and Chief Deputy Jeff Walker, navigated a simulated drunk driving course wearing impairment goggles, and observed K9 demonstrations. They concluded the day as honorary SWAT members using airsoft rifles in a target exercise.
The camp took a field trip on Wednesday, July 23, to the United States Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City, NC, to learn about aviation and maritime rescue operations. Campers trained with boat crews, explored UH-60 and C-130 aircraft, and learned about aircrew teamwork and logistics.
After returning to Currituck, the camp spent the afternoon with personnel from the NC Forest Service. They taught campers about wildland firefighting, controlled burns, and fire safety. Smokey Bear made a surprise visit, and the day concluded with a brush fire suppression drill.
Thursday, July 24, focused on firefighting. Campers were placed into mock engine companies, assigned captains, and rotated through rigorous training stations such as putting on turnout gear and SCBAs, hose handling, search-and-rescue drills, forcible entry, ladder truck operations, and rapid intervention rescue techniques. A competitive skills event capped the day, testing teamwork, decision-making, and tactical knowledge.
The camp’s final day, Friday, July 25, included Emergency Medical Services training and camp graduation. Campers learned how to establish a landing zone and set up for a real-time landing of Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance. Campers learned about the helicopter and operations from the flight crew. The afternoon featured CPR and “Stop the Bleed” training and a tour of the mass casualty ambulance bus, and culminated with an EMS competition involving the week’s medical skills.
At the end of the day, proud family and friends gathered to witness the graduation of the first Youth Public Safety Camp class. Each camper received a certificate, gear and gifts from participating agencies, and lifelong memories.
Currituck County thanks each of the participating agencies and partners who made the Youth Public Safety Camp a tremendous success. This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication of our public safety professionals, volunteer fire departments, military and aviation partners, and generous community supporters.
