PARTY program a wake-up call for youth

Another group of local Grade 10 students were given a mock demonstration of the city's emergency response procedures last week in the hope that they will never need to witness the real thing.

Each year, the international PARTY Program (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) gives Yorkton Regional High School students a hands-on look at the work done by rescue and emergency medical personnel in a series of presentations led by the professionals themselves.

The goal: to reduce dangerous behavior such as drunk or distracted driving by showing teens the consequences of these actions.

"We know that sometimes it takes an actual incident for people to really think about it," said Yorkton Deputy Fire Chief Trevor Morrissey, one of the day's presenters. "But all we can do is do our best to remind them of what's happened and what can happen."

Last year, Yorkton Fire Protective Services signed on as a PARTY program participant, joining partners such as Crestvue Ambulance, the Sunrise Health Region, and Yorkton RCMP. This year, the fire department expanded its involvement with a practical demonstration at the fire station. On November 23, firefighters simulated a rescue attempt by cutting apart a car behind the station for a group of 53 Grade 10 students.

It was their second such demonstration in the PARTY Program this year.

"The practical demonstration, it's crucial," said Morrissey. "It's nice to talk about something, it's nice to show a video, but if they can firsthand see what's going on, I think it's the only way to do it."

The fire department's role in the program will continue to evolve, said Morrissey.

"We're only hoping to make it bigger and better. Anything that gives us more impact we want to add to the program."

After the fire station, students traveled to the Yorkton Regional Health Centre for a demonstration of emergency room procedures, a tour of the morgue, a lesson in physical therapy, and finally a story from an accident survivor.

The program lasts all day and can be emotionally draining for the students.

"I think it's having an effect," said Morrissey. "We're getting a good response. We're not getting the kids that are sometimes making fun of it or playing the program down. They're all very serious. They're saying 'thank you' for the program when they're done."

Presenters like Morrissey are happy to be a part of the day.

"We've always said we'd rather prevent something than respond to it."