Street Smart 2012

  • Published
  • By Frank Carter
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The "Street Smart" program was presented to Airmen, Civilians and interested base personnel by Scott Neusch and Patrick Kelly, veteran firefighters and paramedics, at the Sheppard Theater on July 12. This presentation is a safety initiative and part of the S.A.F.E. (Stay Alive From Education) program founded by Lieutenant Vince Easevoli, a firefighter and paramedic who deals with trauma on a daily basis as a result of the actions and poor decisions made by individuals.

The program was originally designed to help Florida teens become aware of the serious consequences impaired driving and not wearing a seat belt can have when a person is involved in an accident. The program has expanded outside of Florida and is now internationally known.

The start of the program begins with a slideshow of extremely graphic, and real images that EMTs witness on the job at the scene of an accident.

"In order to get people in tune, we start the presentation with a series of pictures that get them in the right mind set," said Patrick Kelley, a firefighter/paramedic and guest speaker for the S.A.F.E. program. "Graphic is more of a judgmental word, these images are real, it is what happens. Unfortunately, in our job we talk about the poor choices and there is a lot of trauma involved, and there is no pretty picture of trauma."

These violent scenes endured by first responders beg the question, "Why?" Images of broken windshields and mangled bodies foretell the shattered lives of not only the victim, but their families and loved ones. It portrays how poor judgment, or the feeling of invincibility, quickly changes lives forever.

A volunteer Airman was called on stage, and the EMTs walked through a night of decision making which resulted in the Airman becoming an accident victim. The volunteer ended up on a backboard, with simulated IV's and was treated for trauma. This was an educational and hands on reality of what can happen as a result or poor decision-making and unsafe driving.

Anheuser-Busch Corporation sponsors this program by providing training, equipment, transportation, lodging and compensation to the firefighters/paramedics involved in this program.

"Anheuser-Busch uses EMTs that have seen the traumatic effects of people who disregard bad judgment on the roads," said Mark Schaffer, Grounds Safety Manager for the 82 Training Wing. "They've seen the horrific effects and it brings a real world perspective to the Airmen we train here at Sheppard."

Sheppard had around 1300 people attend both Street Smart programs.