‘Every 15 Minutes’ CHP Program Coming to Carpinteria High

Two-day presentation involves community members, CHP officers and emergency responders who want students to see first-hand the destruction caused by drinking and driving

By | Published on 05.03.2009

  • E-mail
  • Print this page Print
  • Comments
  • Share

On May 13 and 14, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department will present the “Every 15 Minutes
program to students at Carpinteria High School.

The program is a two-day program focusing on high school juniors and seniors, challenging them to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, the responsibility of making mature decisions, and the impact their decisions have on family, friends and many others. The presentation was developed to prevent drinking and driving, especially among teens.

The program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, and the California Highway Patrol is responsible for overseeing Every 15 Minutes in California and provides technical assistance and support in the planning and implementing of the program. 

On day one, May 13, one Carpinteria High student will be removed from class every 15 minutes, and then becomes one of the “living dead.” A uniformed officer and school counselor will enter that classroom and read each student’s obituary to those remaining in the class.

Throughout the day, tombstones for the “deceased” students will be placed in a mock cemetery on the campus.  At 10:15 a.m., a simulated DUI collision in the campus parking lots will involve pre-selected students. The Carpinteria Summerland Fire Department and AMR Ambulance personnel will respond to the collision and treat the victims, with two students and a teacher being declared dead at the scene.

A CHP helicopter air-ambulance will land on the soccer field and airlift a student victim to the hospital with major injuries. One other student, designated as a DUI driver, will be arrested for driving under the influence. 

On day two, May 14, at 10:30 a.m., junior and senior students will attend an assembly in the school gym, where a video of the preceding day’s events will be played, which will include footage of the aftermath of the collision (emergency room scene, death notifications, the courtroom conviction and sentencing of the student DUI driver).

Students who participated in the program will read excerpts from letters they wrote the night before at a retreat, sharing their feelings with their friends and classmates of what it felt to die without having the chance to say good-bye.

Family members of victims killed or injured in alcohol-related vehicle accidents will address the students, as will county emergency rescue personnel who have responded to collisions involving DUI drivers. In addition, a speaker will share a personal story of his loss in a DUI collision. 

Noozhawk staff writer Laurie Jervis can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Comments

Post a Comment

Ground Rules for Posting Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules.
  1. No abusive, defamatory or libelous attacks.
  2. No vulgar or discriminatory language.
  3. If you do not follow these rules, we will remove your comment.
Noozhawk's intent is not to limit the discussion of our stories but to elevate it. Thank you for your respectful participation. Click here for our complete Terms of Use.

Name:

 

More Local News »

Santa Barbara School District Looking for Ways to Cut $6 Million from Budget

Classrooms are likely to feel the pinch, with programs and staff positions on the chopping block

QAD Presents $24,000 Grant to Franklin Elementary

The school will use the money to add two computer workstations to each classroom

Competitors Go ‘Prime’ Time at Math Super Bowl

A little drama adds to the fun as Westmont hosts mathletes from 10 Southern California high schools

Santa Barbara Middle School Fair to Spotlight Academic Excellence

Students will present their unique projects during Tuesday's Academic Fair

Parents Speak Out About District Proposal to Combine GATE, Honors Programs

School administrators say the plan is designed to encourage under-represented students to enroll in the higher-level courses

Weather: Light Rain Fog/Mist 52.0º


© Malamute Ventures LLC 2007-2010 | ISSN No. 1947-6086

Web Design & Development by PixelFive