First responders from Terrace and Thornhill came together Monday to put on a presentation of a mock accident for students of Caledonia Secondary in Terrace.
Terrace Fire Chief Joel Brousson said the purpose of the event was to show the effects of risky driving.
“So, drinking and driving, texting and driving, and the complications that can come with that”
A prepared crash scene was set up in the school parking lot, however no first responders were on scene yet. Students got to witness police, fire, and ambulance come screeching on to the scene – and get to work right away on freeing and treating the trapped “passengers” – some being actors from the Caledonia Drama team, and some being dummies.
Sergeant Shawn McLaughlin, Unit Commander for BC Highways Patrol, said they chose this time of year for the demonstration due to the high number of crashes they often see this time of year.
“We organized this multi-agency mock collision to try to bring awareness towards the danger of high-risk driving, whether it be impaired driving, not wearing seatbelts, distracted driving. Especially within the youth because they’re such at risk people. So, we wanted to get this together around grad time because that’s when we see the unfortunate fatalities or serious collision sites that change the direction of people’s lives around them. And to try to be more preventative than reactive.”
Chief Brousson said that the carefully coordinated event took about six months of planning.
“The RCMP, ambulance, along with myself with the Terrace Fire Department have been talking about it and planning it. This required off-duty members from BC ambulance, from police, as well as the fire departments to come in. And everyone worked together, and we were able to show kind of how when the time is really needed, everyone comes together and a smooth working relationship can happen.”
Sergeant McLaughlin says students got a very accurate portrayal of a real accident scene.
“We show up and we’re there to do our specific roles. But obviously during these people need extra help. So, we help out where we can, whether it be fire with ambulance or police, just keeping people under control. And, it was a very good depiction today of what actually occurs at one of these.”
Topaz was one of the Drama students who acted in the collision. She said that the experience gave her perspective.
“It definitely gave me a hands-on perspective of how, like, loud and intimidating it can be and how scary it would be for someone in that situation.”
Mason, one of the students who watched the scene unfold, said it was an eye-opener.
“[About] like not to drink and drive and how dangerous it is. And, like, how many people would die if you if you drink and drive.”
And not only did the students get an example of a collision, but they also got an example of first responders in action. Sergeant McLaughlin said that would be what he hoped for.
“Well, that would be my hopes. I use this… I believe it’s a great, proactive way to show kids danger. But I also look at it that they can showcase what we do and the, the cool jobs that all our agencies do.”
And Chief Brousson said the best way to learn about the job – is to come in and ask about it.
“Come into the department, BC Ambulance, the RCMP Detachment, into the Terrace Fire Department. Sit down and talk with the members, ask them their experiences, why they like the job, what drew them into the service. For myself, and I know for all of us, it’s a passion and a commitment, not only to the residents, but it’s a calling. It’s a calling that we all kind of feel really strongly about. And sit down with the people that have done it, maybe pick their brains, and see if it’s going to be for you.”
All parties said that the event went smoothly and as planned.