On Thursday, May 2, the West Grove Fire Company along with Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), used a mock crash demonstration to teach Avon Grove High School students about the realities and dangers of distracted driving.
Two vehicles, donated by Carlos Rivera of Rivera's Towing, were placed in the parking lot as if they had been involved in a real accident. Several students volunteered to be "Made Up" to look as if they had real injuries. We started the make up process at 6:30 am. The injuries were different for each victim. The injuries included one patient with injuries that required them to be flown to a trauma center, another transported by ambulance to a trauma center, two would be determined to be dead from their injuries on scene and another would be arrested for texting while driving.
West Grove Fire Company responded to the scene as if it were a true emergency. We proceeded to take action in extricating the patients as if it were a real accident. Firefighters put blocks of wood under the car to stabilize it while EMT's assessed the patients before the removal process started. Other firefighters were setting up the Jaws of Life and other tools to assist in patient removal from the vehicles. Two separate crews were utilized on the vehicles. One crew removed the sliding door of the van to access a patient. The second crew cut through the door posts to remove the roof of the vehicle. Patients were shown being boarded and collared by EMT's and paramedics. One was packaged for transport to a hospital via helicopter. One other was packaged for transport via ambulance. Leaving two victims, who were seated without seat-belts in the front passenger seat of their respective vehicles, dead from their injuries in the mock crash.
The driver of the van was questioned by the State Police Trooper Corey Monthei; who discovered she had been sending a text message while driving her vehicle. This was then found to be the cause of the accident. In PA, it is illegal to text and drive. This driver was arrested for vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, and texting while driving.
One text or call, could end it all. Let us not meet you by accident.
Special thanks go to: SADD; Ms. Testa and Ms. Depasqua- SADD advisors; the grounds crew of AGSD; Mr. Alexander and all the staff at the high school; Rivera's Towing; State Farm-Linda Ingenthron and Shelli McKenna; PSPA Trooper Corey Monthei; Christiana Lifenet helicopter crew; SCCEMS-Medic 94-Paramedic Kim Harvey; All the members of West Grove Fire Company.
Units:
Rescue 22, Rescue 12, Amb 22-1, Amb 22-2, AMB 22-3, Squad 22, Brush 12, WGFC Fire Police.
Mutual Aid:
Christiana Hospital Lifenet Helicopter, PSP Avondale, SCCEMS Medic 94, State Farm, SADD, Riveras Towing
The accident site. 9-1-1 was being called.
Ambulance is first on the scene and provides initial report.
Firefighters crib the vehicle prior to the extrication process starting.
A hand line is drawn in case of fire.
The tools are pulled and placed into position for use.
Crews work to remove the windshield so they may cut the posts for roof removal.
Crews make access to the vehicles for better evaluation of the patients.
Lifenet on the approach to the LZ.
Lifenet landing in the zone.
Sgt. Loren Nafziger explaining the process to the students.
PSPA Trooper Monthei. Assessing the scene from a distance.
The driver being question by the police.
Arrested.
Shelli McKenna from State Farm, Linda Ingenthron office, speaks to the students about the dangers of distracted driving.
The crew from WGFC, Lifenet, Medic 94, PSPA, Rivera's Towing.
Member Bob Dando helping with the moulage process.
Firefighter Lisa Glass making up one of the students.
SADD and West Grove Fire Company presented a Mock Crash to the juniors and seniors at AGHS. The victims: Abby Longen, Alexandra Ruf, Andrew Ruf, Stevie Petrison, Luke Trice.
