Nearly 30 local children graduated from Laurel’s award-winning Fire Academy for Kids 2008.

The program, which is sponsored by the Laurel Fire Department, is dedicated to teaching safety to children ages eight through 13.

Fire Prevention Officer Alfred Jordan and Training Officer Jimmie Bunch of the Fire Department handled the special academy, which began here in Laurel nine years ago and has now become a national program.

Officials said the academy program, which began in 1999 under the leadership of then Training Officer David Chance (who is now the fire chief) and Prevention Officer Danny Madison, has grown over the years.

Jordan said young people taking part in the academy, which began Monday, learned the difference between Hollywood and real fires. He said the young people learned how a firefighter spends a typical day at the fire station, and about a firefighter’s personal protective equipment.

Also during this week, participants learned about fire hazards in the home and the importance of a home escape plan.

Jordan said officials with EmServ, the South Central Regional Medical Center’s Wellness Program and the Laurel Police Department also assisted with the home and safety portion of the academy.

“We want the participants to be well-rounded,” Jordan said. “We are not only teaching them about fire, life and safety, but we are discussing general safety, nutrition, eating healthy and exploring all aspects of safety.”

Miles Guthrie, 9 1/2 years old, said this was his second year participating in the program.

“I just love to see all the stuff they use at the fire department, like the fire trucks and all the firefighter gear,” Guthrie said. “I learned about how we should protect ourselves from fires and all about safety.”

Jordan said the young people underwent a week of activities designed to educate them on safety and to make them more aware of what firefighters do.

Akurya Evans, also 9 1/2 years old, said the program offers a lot of “great activities.”

“I liked doing all the great activities they had during the week, especially the Water War,” Evans said. “We got to learn other things like what the hospital and police officials do to help others.”

Cody Dearmon, 10 1/2 years old, said he “liked it all, especially the water wars.”

“The challenges were tough, but I learned the dangers of fire,” Dearmon recalled. “I learned that firefighters have to do a lot and they also have to have the right gear when going to fight a fire.”

Allison Presley, who is also 9 1/2 years old, said this was her first year attending the academy, but she hopes it’s not her last.

“I enjoyed meeting the firefighters and all the new people,” she said. “It gave me something to do that was fun. ... I also liked meeting new people and learning what they do.”

Participants of all ages got the opportunity to see a demonstration of rope rescue techniques and they all actually handled a fire hose.

Many of the participants said one of the highlights of the week was the water war, where participants got a chance to cool off while learning how to handle a fire hose.

“The water wars are the best part,” Guthrie said, adding that he plans to take the program again next year.

Participants praised the academy and the knowledge they gained from attending this year’s activities.

“It was great. You get to learn about so much,” Akurya Evans said. “It’s great stuff and I want to do it again.”

Eleven-year-old Malik Davis said this is his fourth year attending the academy.

“I just enjoy the instructions given during the program, and it also keeps me busy,” Davis said. “The water war is the best, but I enjoy learning and having fun with others.”

Ricky Holder, 11, said he enjoys getting wet.

“I got a chance to hold fire in my hand,” Holder said referring to a fire excerise where participants learned the dangers of fire. “I learned not to play with fire and once you are out of the fire, stay out. I also learned that when you are in a car, wear a seatbelt.”

Bunch said the academy is a way to educate young people while allowing them to have fun.

“They really enjoy it,” Bunch said. “It’s a fun way to educate children about things they need to know. ... We just let them know that there’s a fun side to what we do. So, they have fun while they learn.”

The week climaxed Friday with a special graduation program at the Laurel Train Depot, where participants received certificates and gifts.

Lisa Valadia with the Mississippi Department of Transportation conducted a vehicle rollover simulator designed to educate people on the importance of wearing seatbelts.

“We encourage everyone to buckle up,” Valadia said. “Parents should buckle up and set a good example for their children.”

Valadia also updated the crowd on the new safety laws concerning children in booster seats.

“We had close to 900 fatalities on our roadways in Mississippi last year,” she said. “Statistics show that those 14-21 years of age do not buckle up.We need to get those numbers down, as well as the number of fatalities down. ”

Anyone wanting more information about seatbelts and child restraints can go to the Website www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Also Friday, Fire Chief David Chance and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack commended all those who took part in the program and those who helped to support it.

He said the department is appreciative to the support it has received from the Mississippi Department of Health, Wal-Mart and the City of Laurel, which helped the Fire Department sponsor this great learning event.

“We’ve had several saves of houses and lives because of the work we do with this program,” the fire chief said. “We want to teach them something that lasts a lifetime.”

Roy Martin, grandfather of two of the participants, praised the city for the work it’s doing with the program.

“We think this is one of the greatest things we’ve been to,” said Martin,who is a volunteer firefighter in Wayne County. “Our house burned down once, so we know the danger of fire, and I think it’s great for them to offer this program for the young people.”