Pratt’s training steers family from danger

By Stewart Thacker

LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Campbell County’s scouting adventures continue to flourish. Earlier this month, 9-year-old Cub Scout Colten James Miller Pratt put his experiences and training into action.

On March 4, Colton’s father and mother, Steven and Cheryl Pratt, installed a new washer in their home. “After starting the first load of laundry, I had heard water gushing from the kitchen into the living room
and then I saw it. The water was starting to spray on the dryer plug.” said Steven Pratt.

Steven Pratt told his wife what was happening. Cheryl Pratt called 911; Colton Pratt told his father, “Everyone needs to get to our designated meeting spot.” Colton Pratt knew to do this after the training he had received on creating emergency plans for his family.

“What Colten did was amazing, he saved our lives, because things could have been so much worse, and he used what he learned in the Cub Scouts and applied it to the situation at hand. His mother and I are very proud of him, and we know he is shaping to become a great young man,” his father said.

“Pack 108 is very proud of Colton for knowing what to do in an emergency situation. A little bit of preparation of knowing what to do in emergencies goes a long way and can potentially keep a child from being traumatized by an event, this is a perfect example of that,” said Cody Phillips, Cubmaster of Pack 108.

Colton’s actions are a testament to the purpose and values of Scouting, as well as the teachings of the adult volunteers in the Scout units across Campbell County. Colton was prepared for the situation.

Pack 108 participated in a station tour earlier in the year with the LaFollette Fire Department. They learned what to do in instances of fires, fire safety and careers with firefighters. Pack 108, Troop 310, and Troop 435 would like to give thank the LaFollette Fire Department and LaFollette First Responders and Dispatchers for their devotion to the safety of the City of LaFollette.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/20/2023-6AM)