SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Students at Springfield's first-ever Safety City camp spent time with local first responders this week, learning everything from when to call 9-1-1 to how to stay safe after storms.

The camp is based on a national program and was organized in partnership with the Springfield Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works and the Department of Natural Resources.

Each department led sessions on safety topics relevant to its work. The fire department covered 9-1-1, stop-drop-and-roll, fire hose operation and a walk-through of a hazard house where children identified common household dangers. Children also rode in a bucket truck during sessions on power line safety.

One of the camp's most popular features was a replica road with real signs and lanes, where children rode pedal cars to learn traffic safety rules.

"They love being on the pedal cars and having the interactive city ... getting to integrate stop signs and rules of the road and just traffic safety," Springfield Fire Department Chief Nick Zummo said. "They enjoyed that immensely."

Zummo said connecting children with first responders outside of an emergency setting helps reduce fear in crises and gives kids a foundation to build on.

"If something happens to a parent or a guardian and they're the only one that's there, just having a real basic knowledge of even what to do in those cases, then maybe the panic won't strike if something bad happens," Zummo said.

On the final day of camp, the kid participants all received diplomas from the mayor and the chiefs of police and fire departments. The city plans to repeat the program in future summers. 

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