Heroes in training

OSHAWA, ON, July 21 /CNW/ - Not all heroes wear capes, some wear vests. CAA's School Safety Patrollers (SSP) don lime green vests and are trained to come to the rescue of students on and off a school bus.

More than 130 CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) bus and foot patrollers will be taught life-saving skills during a one week leadership camp at Camp Samac in Oshawa, July 20-23. School children from Barrie, Brantford, Brant County, London, Orillia, Peterborough/Lakefield, Peel and Toronto will be taking part in the top-notch training provided by police officers from across Ontario. The 10 - 12 year olds will learn first aid, fire safety, bus safety and bus evacuation skills.

"If it wasn't for the tireless efforts of the police officers, school teachers and the patrollers themselves, the School Safety Patrol (SSP) program wouldn't be what it is today," said Leslie Rocha, Community Relations Specialist, CAA SCO. "CAA's award-winning SSP program has been recognized by the Ontario Safety League, has a proven track record and over 80 documented cases in which a patroller has saved a life."

One bus patroller came to the aid of a kindergarten student who fell and hurt himself. The patroller administered first aid to the boy's cut and comforted him as the bus driver called for help.

Another patroller put out a fire in his own home and prevented a disaster after learning to properly use a fire extinguisher at CAA SCO's leadership camp.

Patrollers dedicate over 3.45 million volunteer hours each year to community safety. There are currently over 55 police services, more than 800 schools and over 20,000 elementary students involved in the program.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance. Visit www.caasco.com.

For further information: Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]; or Jeff LeMoine, Internal/External PR Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]