Teens in Local Rehab Impressed by Fire Department Demonstration

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Feb. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- The Plantation Fire Department had an important message for Inspirations’ teens – drinking or using drugs while driving is deadly. On Jan. 31, the Plantation Fire Department invited Inspirations for Youth and Families teen rehab to a special demonstration.

Firefighter personnel had smashed an old, donated car into a tree and laid a dummy on the hood and a put a dummy in the passenger seat. This set-up was a simulation of a common car accident.

Inspirations for Youth and Families teens gathered around as fire trucks drove up to the scene. Senior firefighter Eddie Contreras explained that the “driver” hadn’t been wearing his seatbelt. He had gone through the windshield and was killed immediately.

However the “passenger” was still alive, but he had a neck injury. Contreras narrated the actions of the firefighters as they sprung into action to demonstrate the safe removal of an injured passenger. The teenagers watched while the firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” hydraulic tools to remove the hood of the car. Contreras explained that removing the roof of the car is common if the passenger has a neck injury.

Inspirations teen Theo was amazed at the demonstration. He says, “I know drinking and driving is bad, but just seeing this accident…it really made a point.”  Even though the accident was staged, the message was still very clear.

After the rescue simulation, Plantation Fire Department Lieutenant Vinny Cicione gave a quick tour of the fire truck. He showed the teenagers the many tools that firefighters need to do their job.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in Florida, 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2012 were related to alcohol-impaired driving. There were 28,689 DUI convictions in Florida in 2012.

For more information about Inspirations for Youth and Families teen rehab, visit our website www.inspirationsyouth.com or call (888) 75-SOBER.