POWELL RIVER, BC- The Powell River fire department is having a party next week, but it’s not your typical kind of party.
The fire service is running the P.A.R.T.Y. program for youth in the community, starting next Monday.
P.A.R.T.Y. stands for Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth.
The program will bring grade eleven students to the Powell River General Hospital to see the impacts of a traumatic experience first-hand.
“We have approximately 70 kids each day, and we focus on making good choices to have an active life that’s injury-free,” said Terry Peters, Chief with the Powell River fire department.
Brooks Secondary students will take part, as well as students that are home schooled.
“The program is a vital component in the community that’s involving all the emergency services, from police, fire, ambulance and hospital staff, as well as countless volunteers,” Peters said.
“We demonstrate real-life situations, like a car crash, emergency trauma room situations, rehabilitation for any of the realities that would stem from a crash, the legal ramifications for such events, and in the end, we have a heartfelt discussion that touches on mortality and survival rates for people.”
Make-up artists and volunteers will set up demonstrations, such as having someone in the hospital as the victim of a car crash.
Peters said the goal of the event is to make sure kids, and even adults, make smart choices.
“Distracted driving for example, is a killer for all ages, and the message that I really want to put out is when you drive, just drive,” he explained.
He noted that although impaired driving is a serious problem, there are other issues to be aware of.
“Driving hazardously is a big problem, and distracted driving.”
The program will run at the Powell River hospital on Feb. 19th, 20th and 21st.
