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ABINGTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT STAGES ACCIDENT TO DRIVE HOME CONSEQUENCES
OF RECKLESS DRIVING FOR STUDENTS
ABINGTON – Even though they knew the mangled cars and blood on the pavement were not the result of an actual accident caused by reckless driving, the impact of the crash and rescue staged by the Abington Township Fire Department (ATFD) May 20 was not lost on Abington Senior High School seniors.
“I’ll never drink and drive,” said Amanda Treat, a senior, who watched the crash and subsequent rescue outside her school a day before the prom.
“It’s a strange feeling to see your friend sprawled out on the hood,” said Max Barsky, who said even though the accident was fake, it left him with a sense of unease. “They shouldn’t just do this for seniors…everyone should see it.”
With help from the Abington Police Department, Second Alarmers Rescue Squad, and the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, the mock crash is staged by the ATFD every May shortly before Abington Senior High School’s prom to drive home the potential consequences of careless driving. Abington students who belong to Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions and other school groups are invited to be the “actors” in the scene, which involves a crash that is caused by a drunk driver. ATFD fire trucks arrive to rescue and extract the victims from the crushed-up cars, and the “deceased” are placed in body bags and removed from the area by a coroner. On May 20, students were respectfully silent as the action unfolded.
“Students have often heard adults tell them about the dangers of drinking and driving, but it’s rare that they are able see what can happen as a result of someone getting behind the wheel impaired,” said Dave Schramm, ATFD Fire Services Administrator. “One of our goals is to educate the public so that we can prevent accidents and fires before they occur, and we believe this exercise goes a long way toward achieving that.”
Stephanie Mignogno, who played one of the crash victims, said holding such an event and having students act as the wounded makes it all the more powerful.
“I guess because we all have the attitude that ‘it’s not going to happen to me,’” she said.
It’s also a chance for students to see what the members of their volunteer fire departments do. High school students who are Junior Firefighters, like sophomore Monica Hobgod and Tori Patchell, also participated in the event.
“We are volunteer-based and we need to have more volunteers – they are what keep us going,” said Monica. “This is a good recruitment opportunity.”
Tori, who participated in last year’s mock crash, said she was approached by some female students who expressed an interest in volunteering after seeing last year’s event. Other students, like Amanda Treat, said they came away from the May 20 event with a greater appreciation for all their volunteer firefighters do.
“I have a lot of faith in them,” she said. “They went in quick and they took it seriously.”
Abington Senior High School Principal Dr. Jeffrey Fecher encouraged students to have a good time but be safe in their celebration of prom.
“I want you to remember this image,” he said.
Following the demonstration, Dr. Fecher honored the memory of Richard Scaffidi, a Deputy Fire Marshal who played a big role in carrying out the mock crash prior to his death in 2008. He presented a plaque to Mr. Scaffidi’s wife, Linda. A plaque was also presented to Ken Clark, Fire Marshal, recognizing the ATFD’s commitment and participation in the annual mock crash event.
The ATFD headquarters is located at 1176 Old York Road in Abington. For more information, visit www.abingtonfd.org.