Most people know the reason why we hold a mock crash event every year; to warn students of the dangers of drinking and driving. Students see the police officers, state troopers, firefighters and EMS arrive, watch the scene go down and listen to the presentation. What isn't seen is the behind the scenes. The mock crash is more than just the drama club students acting, but also the responders. Their job was to act exactly as they would on a real crash to demonstrate the coordinated chaos that is an accident scene. 

During the mock crash there were 10 fire and EMS apparatus that responded to the scene, across Concordville, Chester Heights, Bethel, and Mainline Health. In those apparatus though were not just random people but 3 current Garnet Valley High school Juniors, as well as alumni, and people from across our community. Looking at the perspective of a first responder, especially one in high school, the weight of a drunk driving situation can be a lot heavier than some people may think. Seeing your classmates and peers in that kind of situation is no easy feat. However, as a first responder there is no other choice but to carry on and do what we are trained to do. 

Behind the scenes, there were debriefs on how we were to act throughout the mock crash, making sure to prioritize the safety of all people on scene, as well as make sure to safely combat the heat, and keep everything running smoothly. All apparatus were staged at the Middle School prior to the dispatch, where each company worked together again to make sure everyone was prepared. It was important to accurately portray our jobs to other high school students and display the weight of the situation. 

Being a first responder in high school is a big responsibility, but also a fulfilling way to serve the community, and at a young age too. It's a great way to learn hands-on skills, and it's diverse. While being in a firetruck and cutting a car might not be for everyone, there are other things that can be sought out, from leadership positions to emergency medical care. Everyone is dedicated to helping the community and each other, on and off the scene. 

So next time you see a crash, or someone you know thinking about driving while impaired, think of the impacts it will have on the people around it. Warn your peers of the dangers of drinking and driving, find that ride home, call a parent, stay the night. Drunk driving takes lives, more lives than just your own.