Braxton Scarborough works the nozzle on the fire hose while his friends hold the hose and Meridian Fire Department fireman John Cherepanya assist. The children are taking part in the 2011 Camp Fire Academy being held at the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Safety Training Facility.

    There is no doubt in Braxton Scarborough’s mind.

    He knows exactly what he wants to be when he gets older.

    “I’m going to be a fireman, just like my dad,” the exuberant 12-year-old Scarborough said Wednesday. “I know all about this stuff from him and it is a great job where you help people.”

    The 2011 Camp Fire Academy currently being conducted at the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Safety Training Facility on Sandflat Road may be just a refresher course for Scarborough but to the other 20 or so children aged 8 through 12, the opportunity to act like a fireman for a week is a special treat. It is also an eye opening experience they’ll not soon forget.

    “The parents tell us that when they pick up their kids, the youngsters go on and on about what they learned,” said Ginger Hand, who is a member of the Meridian Fire Department and who is heading the camp. “We give them homework assignments to take home so they can implement fire safety procedures for their family.”

    This is the second year of the camp. The weeklong camp is sponsored by the fire department, The Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Safety Training Facility and the Mississippi Department of Health (MDH). Hand says the camp is funded from a grant from the MDH and as long as those funds are available, the camp will continue.

    “This information and hands on experience is so vital to youngsters,” Hand said. “They just soak this stuff up.”

    Wednesday the children viewed a demonstration of the MFD’s ladder truck and high fire-fighting capabilities. After a short break they got to operate a fire hose, spraying water in order to knock over cones that simulated fires. Naturally, some of the children got wet — to their delight.

    “This has really been cool,” said 10-year-old Marisa Haney. “I’m not going to be a firefighter. I’m going to be a nurse or a dog trainer. But this is fun and we learn things like having an escape plan and a meeting place at home if our house ever catches on fire.”

    In addition to learning about the tools of the firefighting trade, Hand said the children are taught how to properly call 911, vehicle and bike safety, other important lessons to stay safe around the home.

    Hand said the children have kept she and her other instructors and firemen from the MFD and the 186th Air Refueling Wing fire station on their toes. She said they ask some of the most thoughtful questions that have surprised the instructors.

    “Children these days are highly intelligent and we see that all the time,” Hand said. “So whenever we can get them into a learning environment like this, we believe we are saving lives. We believe they can save lives with what they learn. That is why these camps are so vital.”

    Graduation will be held Friday where there promises to be even more water and fun.