Jon Reis, an eighth-grade student at Dorseyville Middle School, developed The Youth Emergency Preparedness Project (YEPP) to teach kids rescue skills.

"[I] developed the YEPP program with the goal of expanding it throughout Allegheny County to train teenagers in lifesaving skills in an interactive and fun environment," Reis said.

For months Reis and 10 other eighth graders from Dorseyville Middle School trained with paramedics from FoxWall EMS, Lower Valley Ambulance Service and UPMC. They learned first aid, CPR, and Automated External Deliberator use.

The students bandaged people covered in fake blood, and showed the proper techniques used if they are ever in or c0me upon an accident.

The students gained the support of the Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation as well as Rick Duffy, chief of FoxWall EMS.

Duffy spoke to the students and acknowledged their commitment in an awards ceremony.

"These young people are learning today to provide lifesaving skills and will no doubt be the caregivers of our future," Duffy said.