On Tuesday April 24, 2007, Bethlehem Twp Police, Fire and EMS participated in a mock crash scene entitled Every 15 Minutes. This powerful program was created by Officer Dean Wilson of the Bethlehem Twp. Police Dept. Each year emergency service personnel visit high school students in Bethlehem Twp. to demonstrate the dangers and results of drinking while driving.
The program takes months of preparation, and the end result is an eye opening experience. The school day starts and soon takes a drastic turn.
The "Grim Reaper" comes into a classroom and removes a student. That student is given a "Every 15 Minutes" T-Shirt and becomes a member of the "living dead". Soon after the student is removed, a police officer and priest return to the classroom and let the other student know that a classmate was killed in a drinking and driving related accident, and reads the students obituary. Dressed in a black T-Shirt and death make-up, the removed student returns to class and is not allowed to engage in any conversation. At Notre Dame High School, a total of 58 students were removed as part of the program.
Later in the afternoon, a "mock" car accident is staged in the parking lot of the school. A total of 8 pre-selected students are provided moulage and become part of the accident scene. Remaining students and released from school to watch what exactly happens on accident scenes. The Jaws-Of-Life are used to free trapped victims from the wreckage. The injured students are treated at the scene by EMS personnel. 1 Student is DOA, and 2 Students are flown via a aero-medical helicopter to St. Lukes Hospitals Trauma Unit.
1 student there is pronounced DOA. This happens because 1 student at the scene is arrested for DUI. On scene, the student is given a field sobriety test by the police department, and handcuffed. Meanwhile, the coroner is called to the scene to pronounce the victim dead, and the parents of the student are brought to the scene to identify the body.
The DUI student is taken back to the police station, fingerprinted, processed, and allowed to make 1 phone to his/her parents. The student is then taken to the Northampton County Courthouse and taken in front of Judge Baratta.
All of the "living dead" student are then taken to St. Francis Retreat house and are part of a program that Officer Wilson created. They also hear "real-life" stories from students and parents who had there life changed because of drinking and driving.
The following day a "mock" funeral takes place and students read letters they wrote during the retreat. The letter starts out, "Dear Mom & Dad, Every 15 Minutes in the world someone dies of an alcohol related accident.
Today I died, and I never had the chance to tell you......" Parents then read letters to students. The program ends with Ellen Luhrig speaking to the student body about the dangers of drinking and driving. Mrs.. Luhrig lost her son Robert in an alcohol related crash. Robert was a student at Phillipsburg High School, and had a very prominent future in sports. His life was cut short because of someone who thought it was ok to drive while intoxicated.
The members of Bethlehem Twp. Vol. Fire Co. wish every high school student a safe and healthy prom season.
DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE, IT'S A DEADLY COMBINATION
Click Here to see pictures from the moch crash.
Autism Speaks... BTVFC Listens !
Members of Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company participated in the first Annual Walk Now for Autism in Allentown Pa Saturday April 14 2007. Members walked with the "Ian's Infantry" group. Ian and his family are residents of Bethlehem Township.
What is
Autism?
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that
typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of
disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150
individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than
pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial,
ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys
than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate
to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive
behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very
specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.
To learn more about Autism or to make a donation to Autism Research please visit the Autism Speaks web site by clicking here.
To view pictures from the walk click here.
Special thanks to: Jeff Hasonich, Nichole Bogari- son Nichols - daughter Savanna, Judy Stapinski - son Darin, Amy DeRemer, Shawn Silvoy.
Bethlehem
Township is pleased to announce our 60th year of service to the
community.
The members of the Bethlehem Twp. Vol. Fire Co. and distinguished guests
recently celebrated 60 years of service to the community and surrounding
areas with a banquet ceremony at the Candlelight Inn. Officials
recognized
3 members for achieving life member status for 15 years of service.
These members were Fire Chief David Stapinski, Secretary Karen Brady,
and Board Member Phil Bigg. Lieutenant Brian Kelly was presented with
the 2006 Firefighter of the Year Award, Assistant EMS Captain Shawn
Silvoy was presented the 2006 EMS Volunteer of the Year Award, and Jeff
Knopf was presented Employee of the Year Award.
Peggy Gencarelli Community Development Coordinator for Wal-Mart (Route
191) presented a grant check to President Martin J. Comer. Also in
attendance, Bethlehem Twp. Police Chief Dan Pancoast, and Sgt. Rick
Blake
Surrounding Mutual Aid Departments were also recognized for continuous
support to the residents of Bethlehem Twp. Guest included: Fire
Commissioner Delmar Grube (Palmer Twp), Director of EMS Barry Albertson
(Suburban EMS), Asst. Fire Chief Jamie Hauze (Nancy Run), Asst. Fire
Chief Ryan Hinkel (Hecktown), Asst. Fire Chief Michael VanWhy (Hanover),
EMS Captain Karen VanWhy (Hanover), Captain Ron Beck (Steel City), and
John Semonich (Accepting on behalf of Hellertown EMS)
Click here to see photos from our Banquet.
SkillsUSA Fire Fighter Challenge UPDATE !
Josh Smith of Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School recently competed at the State SkillsUSA competition in Fire Fighting, held at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute. Josh placed third in the state. We at Bethlehem Township are proud of your accomplishments and wish you luck in your future endeavors.
On
Wednesday January 31st 2007 Bethlehem Township Vol. Fire Company will be
hosting the local District 11
SkillsUSA Fire Fighter Challenge at our station. Local
Vocational Technical School students enrolled in the Emergency Services
Programs will be participating in the Fire Fighter Challenge. Winners of
the local competition will be advancing to the State competition
representing the Lehigh Valley. Winners at the State conference
will proceed to the SkillsUSA
National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City Mo.
representing the state of Pennsylvania.
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