Responders "answer" a 911 call on the football field in Onalaska during a presentation to students. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 1
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Eighth through twelfth grade students in Onalaska yesterday got to watch the aftermath of two-car drunken driving wreck on the football field, a simulated collision that left four “dead”.
The scenario – created by the Onalaska Students Against Drunk Drivers group – began when an after-prom party broke up and eight teenagers piled into one car; the driver had been drinking.
Airlift Northwest touched down briefly to pretend to haul off one of the injured during the afternoon event.
Some 30 individuals role played, including volunteer firefighters from three districts, law enforcement and the coroner’s office. Four impersonated corpses.
“Killed” in the second car, was a teacher from the school and her 13-year-old daughter.
Lewis County Fire District 1 Chief Mark Conner said it was the first time the department has taken part in such an exercise in the seven years since he’s been a member.
It was hard to know the impact on the student body, as they had to quick get on busses when it was over, he said.
“We’re trying to show, you know, this is what happens when you come on a scene,” Conner said.
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Correction: This news items was updated on Wednesday April 27, 2011 to reflect the correct spelling of Lewis County Fire District 1 Chief Mark Conner’s name.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter