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Amari Gaston’s three firefighting summers are behind her as the Wood Fire server pivots to study architecture at Ferris State University.

Ossian Duckworth, on the other hand, doesn’t think he’s seen the last of the Niles Fire Department. He wants to join it as a firefighter after the trombonist studies music at Western Michigan University.

They are two of eight 2025 Public Safety Camp participants.

Southwestern Michigan College Educational Talent Search (ETS), in partnership with the Dowagiac fire and police departments, July 21-25 offered simulated fire and police training.

Public Safety Camp informs students about the important role fire, police and emergency medical services (EMS) departments play in community protection.

Gaston and Duckworth recently graduated from high school in Dowagiac and Edwardsburg, respectively.

Participants also included: Elyzabeth Davis, Niles; Steven Solarek, Edwardsburg; Jaden Hufford, Cassopolis; Ephraim Findlay, Cassopolis; Micah Christian, Cassopolis; and Myles Christian, Cassopolis.

“We started Monday and had two days with the police,” ETS Director Bethani Mott said. “They did mock traffic stops, handcuffing, fingerprinting and a canine demo with Cash to find a wallet. We went over police cars, the equipment they carry with them and turned on the lights and sirens.”

Midweek, they switched over to the fire service, which moved into a new station off Pokagon Street in the industrial park since last summer’s camp.

“They learned hose advancement, how to hook hose up to fire hydrants and spray patterns,” Mott said. “We had an EMS presentation” by Britney (Peet) Trail, a May SMC nursing graduate who has also been a Dowagiac firefighter and an emergency medical technician (EMT).

“She did some scenarios with us,” Mott said. “Students got to rescue a mannequin, taking him down the stairs in the tower and learning how to strap him to the board.  MedFlight came on Wednesday. We met a new crew, including a pilot who lives in Las Vegas.”

“(Thursday) we went to the Niles Fire Department,” Mott said. “We did confined space training in a manhole they have for training, lowered down on a hoist. They crawled through a tunnel like a sewer pipe and popped out the other side. They climbed the ladder truck, then we played in the water because it was scorching hot, like it is today.”

The popular car burns usually take place on Thursday, with a field trip on Friday to Chicago’s fire museum or the Coast Guard, but Mott said they focused on hands-on experiences closer to home this year.