Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

On Monday, June 15, 2015 Kent County Dispatch Authority (KCDA) and the Grand Rapids 9-1-1 Center participated in the first public safety camp presented by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

Each year the museum sponsors a week long camp for up to 30 youngsters where they learn about various occupations. Last year the museum held a construction camp where the children learned about plumbing, building, electricity and carpentry. This year the museum is holding a Local Heroes camp aimed at public safety in Grand Rapids.

The week will include visits from not only 9-1-1, but from the Grand Rapids Fire and Police Departments, the K-9 unit, LIFE Ambulance and the Red Cross.

At the 9-1-1 camp children were taught about 9-1-1 using “Burney” the puppet and had a chance to make simulated 9-1-1 calls using an interactive iPad program where they were asked important questions by the make believe “9-1-1 Dispatcher”. The object of the class was to help children recognize what an emergency is and how to dial 9-1-1 as well as some of the questions, like what is their home address, that the dispatcher would ask them about in a real emergency. The children also colored 9-1-1 posters and made 9-1-1 backpacks to take home, as well as having the opportunity to talk on a real police radio.

KCDA hopes to make other visits to the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum throughout the year for 9-1-1 education to children.