August 23, 2007
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities State Fair booth to highlight first responder training, dog resuscitation simulator and Fire Safety House
Contact: Melinda Voss, (651) 296-9443, melinda.voss@so.mnscu.edu
Firefighters, emergency medical technicians and law enforcement officers and instructors will be on hand at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities state fair booth to demonstrate some of the latest rescue techniques - including cutting-edge technology in resuscitating dogs - and to provide safety tips for the public.
This year's booth, in the Education Building on Cosgrove Street near the fair's main entrance, also will feature the Fire Safety House, an interactive scale-model house that shows common fire hazards and feasible escape routes. The Fire Safety House is on loan from the Hopkins Fire Department.
A representative from Ridgewater College in Willmar will demonstrate the simulator used to train emergency medical technicians in resuscitating dogs between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday.
With more than 70 programs in public safety areas, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system educates about 92 percent of the state's new law enforcement graduates and more than 9,000 fire fighters and emergency first responders each year.
"We are especially grateful for and proud of the important work that our graduates and other first responders did in the recent Interstate 35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis and flooding in southeastern Minnesota," said Chancellor James H. McCormick. "We know having well-trained first responders is key to saving lives and reducing injuries during catastrophic events."
Representatives from Minnesota Online, a clearinghouse of more than 200 online education programs, and from the state colleges and universities also will be available to fairgoers interested in higher education programs. The exhibit includes a giant interactive map of Minnesota showing all 53 campuses.
Fairgoers will have a chance to win prizes once an hour by spinning the "Wheel of Luck." State college and university presidents and members of the Board of Trustees will be available at various times to meet fairgoers and discuss educational opportunities.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 135,000 students in non-credit courses.
