Troop receives first aid training from local hero
May 7, 2023
Camp isn’t the only place for Girl Scouts to learn the ins and outs of first aid—Troop 1312 brought the safety lesson right to their weekly meeting! The Bridgton based troop, comprised of 17 Daisies and Brownies, welcomed guest speaker Patti, a local EMT, firefighter, and lifeguard on May 7 for a session on safety.
“Patti was awesome! She wore her uniform and brought her jump kit and fire gear. She started by explaining what her job was and the meaning of first aid and how sometimes it’s as simple as staying calm and helping someone who’s sick or injured to do the same,” says Troop 1312 Leader Stefanie Freeman.
Before Patti’s arrival, the girls learned how to make first aid kits, discussed proper care for small cuts and wounds, and went over the importance of being prepared. Throughout Patti’s visit, the girls participated in hands-on activities and even got to try on some of the gear.
“We paired each Daisy with a Brownie and the girls learned how to gently wrap a burn and sling and swathe an arm by practicing on each other […] they also went over how to call 911 and what to say in an emergency,” says Stefanie.
The group discussed more on wound care, water safety, and the dangers of tick season and proper removal—something most Mainers unfortunately have to deal with this time of year.
But the work didn’t stop there. Patti left the girls with a homework assignment to ask each member of their household to show them how to access the emergency feature on their phones without a passcode so they could always call 911 if needed.
“The girls absolutely loved trying on the gear and that they could touch and feel things, which Patti hopes will make it less scary should they ever be in a scenario that requires emergency services […] I am so grateful to Patti for taking time out of her weekend to talk to the girls,” says Stefanie.
