WFR participated in the bi annual Prom Docudrama on Wednesday, April 22, joining several other local agencies in the drill.........including Power 106 and the Watertown Police Department. The drill is intended to raise awareness and remind local high school students about the danger of drinking and driving.

Power 106 had a presentation prior to the mock crash. The mock crash scene was simply to remind the kids, with it being prom weekend, that nothing good can come from underage drinking. Watertown Fire Rescue, with the assistance of Performance Towing, staged a car accident scene on the west side of the high school. The event was open to high school students to come attend after Power 106 gave their presentation in the DD Miller Auditorium.

Drinking and driving affects many lives every year, including causing injuries and of course death. Don't think "It won't happen to me". Often times it's the passengers in the vehicle that are affected, not just the driver. That's where reminding and teaching these kids about not getting in a vehicle if the driver has been drinking comes in to play.

The scene included a car that had crashed into a tree. The Watertown Police Department was on scene to give the driver a sobriety test, in which he failed. As it was obviously a mock scene, the driver was found to be intoxicated and arrested immediately. There were 3 passengers in the car with the driver. One was treated for a spinal injury and placed on a backboard by WFR personnel. Another had to be assisted from the vehicle using specialized extrication equipment. The Jaws of Life were used in the exercise to help demonstrate just how badly things can get if you make the poor choice of drinking and driving. Lastly, there was a fatality involved in the mock incident. White, Comes, and Sogn Funeral Chapel was on scene to remove the fatality victim.

Again this was a mock drill, but the goal of the exercise is to bring awareness to the kids of the importance of not drinking and driving. Underage drinking is obviously illegal, but even more important is staying out of a vehicle where the driver has been drinking, regardless of their age. Prom should be a fun event without drinking, and especially without drinking and driving. We hope the 500 kids that watched the docudrama were positively affected and reminded just how quickly things can turn from an innocent night with friends to a complete life changing event.

Watertown Fire Rescue would like to thank the High School for being able to participate in the event. Other participants were the Watertown Police Department, Power 106, and White, Comes and Sogn Funeral Chapel. Special thanks to Andy Wicks of Performance Towing for supplying the vehicle for the mock accident scene.

Again WFR encourages good decision making. Don't drink if your underage, don't text while driving, and especially don't drink and drive. The repercussions from one bad choice can remain with you for the rest of your life.