Carolina Fire Rescue EMS Journal
www.carolinafirejournal.com
call of the paramedic to the hospital detailing what they have done to try to save the teens life and asking for further instructions.The hospital answers back that they have done all that they can and to discontinue efforts and transport the body to the morgue. Hearing this, mom again pleads with responders to save her son in a heart wrenching way that many emergency service personnel know too well. The firefighters and paramedics place the teen in a body bag on the stretcher and zip the bag as mom continues to plead for them to help him.The stretch-
transports the audio-visual equipment and props.Two mobile bleacher systems seat the 600 students for the afternoon re-enactment outside. With the equipment needed bought and paid for and a volunteer staff, we feel the operating costs such as fuel, insurance, printing, accounting, etc will be eas-
er is moved to the rear of the ambulance with mom and dad right behind.The voice of the teen pleads ,“I can’t be dead, I’m only 17,” as the ambulance doors close and the unit pulls away leaving mom and dad crying. The student’s attention is drawn to two students who step forward from the bleachers to place a cross in front of the car as a roadside memorial, standing somberly in front for a few seconds before returning to their seat in the bleachers. Mom and dad walk by the cross stopping briefly to touch the cross, leaving bloody fingerprints as they walk off site. The VIP director closes the afternoon session asking “will there be a white cross in this schools future?” Statistics say it can easily happen here. He holds up a photo or recent newspaper article that confirms this fact as he charges the students with being responsible. Among his many comments, he asks “did you tell your parents that you loved them before you left this morning?” Closing the afternoon session, he asks students to put I.C.E in their phone contact list.This “In Case of Emergency” contact listing can provide helpful contact information as well as medical history, allergies, etc. A school staff member dismisses the students who often walk over to the crash car to get a closer look. VIP team members answer their questions and talk more about these
tragic accidents.The looks on their faces, some tearing, further validate the efforts and effects of the program. While we cannot quantatively measure the effect that the program has on teen death statistics, the comments and observations say that it’s making a difference in teen driving behaviors and attitudes, ultimately reducing the statistics of teen deaths in the areas where the VIP for a VIP programs are delivered. A pre and post-program questionnaire is administered to a sample of 10 students that often reflects this change in behavior as they pledge that they will always use seat belts, limit the number of teen passengers, control distractions in the vehicle they are driving, and call for help rather than driving impaired. One of the biggest indicators for us is watching large groups of teens brought to silence during the program, all focused on the message being delivered. After the program, teens often come by and express thanks to the staff and emergency responders. The program receives many letters from students, teachers, and parents who take time to write about changes they see in their kids and students. Visit our Facebook page has served well as an interface for feedback engaging over 8,000 fans who, in their comments, further testify to the programs impact on students. The program has received awards from the NC Fire and Life Safety Association and from N.C. MADD. While the VIP for a VIP program survives financially by donations and grant awards, we have enjoyed self sufficiency largely due to the dedication of the core members of the program who have volunteered their time, and personal funds when necessary over the years, to make the program free to the schools. We have been overwhelmed with support from emergency service workers across North Carolina as they participate in the delivery of the program in their communities. As awareness of the program and requests began increasing, the program was incorporated in August 2007 to allow support by grants and donations for the equipment needed to make the program “mobile” to travel beyond the Guilford County area. We have been blessed with support to be able to purchase the necessary equipment and props that we formerly borrowed. A 37 foot program trailer
FALL • 2011 65 ily met by continued financial support we have enjoyed in the past, as we dedicate ourselves to the program’s success. As the program has become more well known, requests have increased to a point that it is challenging the current core team’s ability to deliver. A second delivery team is being
developed to help meet the increasing demand. Anyone interested in being a part of this effort are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled programs and meet our team. Please visit the VIP for a VIP program Web site at www.vipforavip. com to view the program schedule and get more information.