Bryce DeAngelo has been an active mascot at Hometown Fire Company for many years. And yet he's only 12.

"He hears the fire whistle and rides his bike down the back alley," said his mother, Susan DeAngelo, on Tuesday.Then he'll jump off the bike and perform tasks to assist firefighters, anything to be of service."Maybe he'll open the doors so we can respond quicker," said member Merle Wertman of Tamaqua.Wertman serves as captain of Hometown Fire Police and said DeAngelo's enthusiasm is an all-around benefit to the firehouse."He backs us up."DeAngelo's devotion to emergency response is already paying dividends.This week he learned he's been inducted into the Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet program.From July 19-24, DeAngelo, son of Bruno DeAngelo, will train with Troop N, Hazleton."I saw it on TV and asked a state trooper who lives near me," DeAngelo said. "Then I put in an application and I had an interview."DeAngelo, who'll enter sixth grade this fall at Tamaqua Area Middle School, soon learned he was chosen for the program.When word reached Hometown Fire Company, members decided to sponsor him.A $100 donation will pay his expenses, such as items that might need to be purchased. The DeAngelo family appreciates the generosity, Susan said."He'll need two pairs of sneakers, a sweatsuit, clothing, maybe a bathing suit."Camp Cadet is not a corrections type program. Instead, it's an opportunity for youth to see what resources go into police science and experience different avenues of law enforcement.The camp regimen is rigorous.Participants are forbidden from using cellphones, iPads, computers, televisions, or any other distracting technology.In fact, they're not even allowed to have candy.For DeAngelo, who hopes to someday become a state trooper, it's a dream come true."I'm always willing to help people out," he said. He feels the program will help him become more effective.Fire Chief Barry Messerschmidt said DeAngelo's contributions are limitless, and he always finds something to do."He'll be here cleaning the firetrucks," said Messerschmidt, adding that DeAngelo is a human resource appreciated by all of the members of the firehouse."I wish we had more kids like him."In a little more than one week from now, state police will get to know more about the abilities of one young boy who's already a proven asset in service to his community.