Kris began the discussion of this amazing program. She explained that it began here in Lincoln in 1999. The 15 Minutes refers to the fact that someone is killed in car crashes every 15 minutes. This program is to make a visual impact regarding the danger of driving and drinking in a way that teenagers, in particular, might buy into the risk of drinking and driving. A video was played for Rotary of high school teens at a party and drinking lots. They then get into cars and ultimately crash causing several deaths and injuries. Students are trained to be the injured and dead as a result of the crash. Their parents and the kids attend a retreat with counseling so that they are informed but not traumatized. About 800 students in bleachers see the car that has crashed. The county EMT, Fire Dept, ambulances and Police are all involved in the program that that it seems as real as an actual crash. The helicopter takes away injured, the EMTs cover the students that died, the coroner visually takes away the bodies. The driver is taken and jailed. The students involved go to the morgue to identify the bodies. The parents are all heartbroken. The next day there is a funeral service for the youth casualties. Even though this is a staged program it FEELS real and makes observers feel the impact of kids making bad choices. Counselors and Chaplains are available through out the whole program. Speaker Kirstie Macqueen and two student casualties, Isabel and Gavin, spoke to the club. A Q & A followed touching comments. This was an amazing, impactful presentation. 15 Minute Program
Kris began the discussion of this amazing program. She explained that it began here in Lincoln in 1999. The 15 Minutes refers to the fact that someone is killed in car crashes every 15 minutes. This program is to make a visual impact regarding the danger of driving and drinking in a way that teenagers, in particular, might buy into the risk of drinking and driving. A video was played for Rotary of high school teens at a party and drinking lots. They then get into cars and ultimately crash causing several deaths and injuries. Students are trained to be the injured and dead as a result of the crash. Their parents and the kids attend a retreat with counseling so that they are informed but not traumatized. About 800 students in bleachers see the car that has crashed. The county EMT, Fire Dept, ambulances and Police are all involved in the program that that it seems as real as an actual crash. The helicopter takes away injured, the EMTs cover the students that died, the coroner visually takes away the bodies. The driver is taken and jailed. The students involved go to the morgue to identify the bodies. The parents are all heartbroken. The next day there is a funeral service for the youth casualties. Even though this is a staged program it FEELS real and makes observers feel the impact of kids making bad choices. Counselors and Chaplains are available through out the whole program. Speaker Kirstie Macqueen and two student casualties, Isabel and Gavin, spoke to the club. A Q & A followed touching comments. This was an amazing, impactful presentation.