WD Mock Disaster Motor Vehicle Collision

The Epworth Fire Department and EMS participated in a mock disaster drill at the Western Dubuque High School on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012. The purpose of the drill was to educate students from the Senior and Junior classes about the consequences of making bad decisions after consuming alcohol and driving. The simulated head on collision between four students and a family of three is held bi-annually prior to prom and graduation to educate students about what happens at an accident scene and how it can have lasting affects on family, friends and emergency responders. Members of the student council organize the event along with members of the EFD, Epworth Police Department, Dubuque County Sheriffs Office, Northeast Iowa Community College and NECAS, Western Dubuque HS Administration and WD faculty. After the accident scene, the students assemble in the gym to hear from local speakers and topics related to drinking and driving. Speakers included the student actor who was simulated to be thrown from the car and was dead on the scene as well as her mother who talked about the loss of her youngest child. Other featured speakers included the Assistant Dubuque County Attorney assigned to handle alcohol related cases and Mike Heiberger, EFD member and local insurance agent who informs the students about the costs of auto insurance after being charged with OWI. Other agencies assisting at the scene were the University of Iowa Air Care helicopter, Centralia-Peosta Fire Department Ambulance, Joe Reiff - Reiff Funeral Home, Dubuque County Medical Examiners Office and the Dubuque County E911 Center Dispatchers. Local media covering the event included the Dyersville Commercial, KWWL CH-7 and KCRG CH-9. A special thank you to Wenzel Towing of Dubuque, Auto-Tech in Dyersville, Victory Ford in Dyersville and the City of Epworth Public Works for their assistance with the vehicles involved in the collision.