The 15 campers of Northampton Fire Department’s fire cadets summer camp gather for a group photo next to the department’s tower truck. Participants attended free of charge due to donations.

PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZMembers of Northampton Fire Department extinguish a fire at Whitehall Township Fire Department’s training grounds.

Northampton firefighter Joey Pinkerton (left) assists Ashton Werkheiser in repacking a water rescue bag.

Ben Previato, of Bethlehem, operates a Holmatro cutter tool to cut a pipe during a rescue simulation.

Rescue training for cadets included using a Holmatro spreader tool to lift ping pong balls from a traffic cone, as demonstrated by Sophia Torres, of Northampton.

Zoeliz Vazquez looks over emergency escape plan diagrams used for interior structural firefighting.

Camp participants line up under the direction of Capt. Mike Dempsey after raising the U.S. flag to start their day.

Jackson Walck (center rear) throws a water rescue bag filled with rope to other campers acting as victims in the Northampton Borough Municipal Swimming Pool on Laubach Avenue.

At left, Shyann Williams, of Coplay, operates an underwater rescue water drone with guidance from Lt. Colyn Gerstenberg from the fire department.

Cadet Jonah Molina Espinal, right, takes the nozzle to fight a training fire, with backup from Captain Mike Dempsey and Cadet Jackson Walck, during Northampton Fire Department’s summer camp held July 6-10 at the fire station, 4 Lerchenmiller Drive. Camp cadets were exposed to various firefighting and emergency-related activities during the camp, which focused on team building, hands-on skills, mentorship and discipline.