BOUNDARY COUNTY

Emergency Management

This morning Boundary County Law Enforcement and Schools presented a graphic crash simulation to the Students of Bonners Ferry Schools.  The entire program has been under secrecy as to not alert students prior to the simulation.

The simulation included two crashed vehicles, injured and killed students, arrests for Driving under the Influence and a visit by Boundary County Coroner.

The simulation was played out by students who have been sworn to secrecy about the event and played their parts to the max.  The role players were locked up without cell phones and roomed at the Kootenai River Inn with supervisors in both the men’s, and ladies rooms for security.

The crash featured two really destroyed vehicles showing what Driving under the influence and distracted driving can lead to. The entire simulation was very real with makeup for all the role players.  Law enforcement from Idaho State Police, Boundary County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Bonners Ferry responded as a normal crash event.

City fire, ambulance, air evacuation via Life Flight and the County hearse added to the realism of the simulation. No effort was spared to make this as real as possible to educate the Students as what not to do.

After viewing the crash scenario students were assembled for a program that included Kevin Dinning High School Principal, Jamielyn Rupe spoke on Driving under the influence, Allen Ashby from the Idaho State Police, and Wayne and Wanda Wilkerson covered Distracted Driving.

The questions and a discussion session after the speakers covered lessons learned for the students and the process of events during a major accident.  The simulation depicted was covered completely allowing the students to vent their feelings.

The opportunity for our youth to witness this event is timely as summer will be here soon bringing more student driving and time away from school.

The parents of all Boundary County youth would like to thank the following agencies for their participation:  Bonners Ferry High Schools, Bonners Ferry Fire, Boundary Volunteer Ambulance, Bonners Ferry Funeral Home, Life Flight LLC, Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Bonners Ferry Police Department, South Boundary Fire, Idaho State Police, Boundary County Emergency Management and Panhandle Towing.

This event is life learning for all our youth and may be done annually.