MINBURN, Iowa — The Scouts of Troop 116 from Dallas Center enjoyed a unique opportunity this weekend to collaborate with a number of Dallas County public safety agencies while also earning their first-aid and emergency-preparedness merit badges.
The Scouts visited the county’s emergency operations center (EOC), where Dallas County Emergency Management Agency Director A. J. Seely covered the principles of emergency preparedness and gave a tour of the EOC.
The Troop also spent time at the Minburn Fire Station, learning and practicing first-aid skills and holding an “indoor campout” at the Minburn Methodist Church, where they worked together to complete other requirements needed for their merit badges.
The weekend also included a simulated wilderness rescue exercise at the Voas Nature Area, where the boys encountered a victim who had fallen from a tree in a ravine, requiring the Scouts to put their skills into action.
First they called 911, bringing a response from the Dallas County Sheriff’s office, Minburn Fire and Rescue and Dallas County EMS, who also used the drill as a training opportunity for their dispatchers and first responders.
The event concluded with a debriefing at the Minburn Fire Station, where representatives from all the agencies discussed with the Scouts what went well, what the key learnings were and what could be improved in the future for the benefit of all participants.
“This was an excellent opportunity to expose the Scouts to potential career and volunteer opportunities in the emergency management and public safety fields,” said Minburn Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Case. “The Scouts learned a lot while also providing valuable training for the county departments.”
