Weld County Paramedic Services Present: P.A.R.T.Y. Program
A program for teens put together through a joint effort with Weld County Paramedic Services and Drive Smart Weld County Supporting Agencies.
What is the program?
P.A.R.T.Y stands for Prevention of Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth. It is a daylong educational course that includes speakers, hands on learning stations, displays and more.
Who coordinates the program?
Kendra Havens from Weld County Paramedic Services coordinates the school locations, volunteers and presenters for each program. She also serves as the coordinator for each program and is involved in two ambulance based teaching stations at every program.
How can you schedule a program?
Contact Kendra Havens at 353-5700 extension 3204 to schedule a program. Please keep in mind that we have specific criteria that your school must meet in order to bring a program to you. Kendra will discuss the criteria with you and assist you in bringing a program to your town. Programs are limited.
Who can volunteer for this program?
We welcome volunteers over age 18. Training is available on site 30 minutes before volunteer hands on stations begin. You may volunteer for one or more programs each year. Corporate volunteers are welcome as are service groups.
ITINERARY
Opening
Involves a pre-test, video and discussion. One student volunteer will then volunteer to spend the entire day in a wheelchair. Ground rules for the day are also discussed.
Fire Department Activity
This 15-minute presentation features the fire department from the community in which the students live. They discuss their role in extricating patients from a crash and show them some equipment. They also discuss the emotional effects on them as fire fighters and discuss safe choices while driving.
Paramedics Activity
Students get to experience hands on scenario in a triage presentation. Selected students will serve as paramedics and helpers as they care for their friends who are playing victims. Presented by Weld County Paramedic Services.
Trauma Presentation
North Colorado Medical Center Trauma Services present the effects of alcohol related crashes, how often teens are involved in crashes and experience versus poor choices.
Crash Cars/Break
Display of the Horst and Odenbaugh Crash Trucks. Similar damage with very different outcomes.
Rehabilitation Presentation
Local rehabilitation professionals discuss the effects of life long physical impairments after being critically injured in a crash. Involves hands on activities.
Guest Speakers
Students listen to real life stories from survivors and how they are dealing with life now.
Learning Stations
Weld County Paramedic Services, Weld County Communications and North Colorado Medical Center Trauma Services, and volunteers take students through hands on learning stations.
Students get to hear real 911 dispatch tapes, immobilize a victim on a spine board, discuss critical advanced life support procedures, watch what the emergency room would do, try to dress with adaptive equipment and more.
Lunch
Students bring their own lunch and have time to discuss the morning’s events.
Police Department
Local law enforcement officers discuss the consequences of underage drinking; perform an actual roadside test with fatal vision goggles and more.
Insurance Presentation
Discuss the cost and punishments for driving under the influence. Differences between male and female cost for 16-year-old drivers.
Coroner Presentation / Video
View a simulated crash with a coroner approaching family and telling them about the fatality.
Funeral Home Presentation
Cost of funeral, emotions of family, what is involved in making a body into a presentable appearance after a crash, and possibly view a hearse.
End the day with a post test and wrap up
Student Reaction Papers
We ask all teachers to assign a reaction paper to their students upon completion of the class. The following are excerpts from some of these papers.
“I see myself making many changes after seeing the tragedy on the video. The people who drink and drive don’t realize the damage and hurt that they will do to people by their actions. I have watched friends get behind the wheel drunk and wondered f they were going to make it home safely; they always do, but one time they may not. I will also take the keys from my friends, even if this means forcefully taking them. If everyone made good decisions like these then I wouldn’t be writing this paper”
“Good job, I enjoyed the hands on with the paramedics.”
“Lives-it means a lot to me even if it is someone you don’t know. You only have one.”
“After the presentation I heard I plan to make lots of changes. I’m going to always wear my seatbelt and make others wear theirs as well.”
“ I thought today was great. I think anyone between 15-18 should go to the Party Program.”
“This program got me thinking that I have to make good decisions in the future and be responsible. I learned lots of new things that can help me in any situation.”
“A change I see me making in my life as a result of today’s presentation is think more about my choices before making one. It is because your life can change in a second. Even by one stupid decision that you make.”
“I will always remember that drinking is never a source of fun and will cause you to become only worse off than you were before.”
"I respect police officers a little more now that I’ve heard some of the situations they go through."