Airmen learn what it means to be ‘Street Smart’

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Team Airmen were exposed to true accounts of life-changing experiences involving vehicular crashes during Street Smart brief, Oct. 5, in the base theater.

Street Smart, presented by Stay Alive from Education (S.A.F.E.), took the audience into the real-life drama experienced by firefighter paramedics as they work to save lives.

SAFE is a non-profit organization dedicated to making students and military servicemembers aware of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not wearing seat belts, and the trauma associated with these dangers.

"The information and the way it's provided is simply phenomenal," said Lt. Col. Mark Mongilo, 36th Wing safety. "No matter how many times commanders, supervisors or even friends say don't drink and drive, it isn't until you see first-hand, that it starts to sink in what consequences your actions can have in your life."

SAFE was granted $170,000 to visit 50 different military installations across the United States and present Street Smart to servicemembers under the age of 26. Vince Easevoli, the founder of SAFE, and Pat Kelly, both firefighter paramedics from Orlando, Fla., discussed what they see when they arrive to the scene of an accident. They also presented a slide show of graphic photos depicting the aftermath of violent car crashes.

"Every victim you saw in those photos is dead because they weren't wearing their seatbelt, and drugs or alcohol played a role," said Easevoli.

The team walked servicemembers through what happens at a trauma scene using the medical equipment they employ daily in their jobs. From taking a pulse, to loading the victim onto a backboard, to simulating an intravenous-line being inserted, servicemembers got to see and feel what it's like to try and save a life, and what it's like to be the victim.

"Trauma is any sudden, unexpected, violent injury or assault on the human body," said Easavoli. "In a majority of all trauma related calls we respond to, drugs or alcohol are somehow related."

Senior Airman Robert Fitzpatrick, for members of the audience who didn't always wear their seatbelt. His honesty earned him the opportunity to participate in a scenario where he was involved in a car accident and he was not wearing his seatbelt. The scenario demonstrated the life-saving actions responding paramedics have to perform and the consequences traumatic injuries can have on the life of the victim.

"I definitely will be wearing my seatbelt from now on," Airman Fitzpatrick said. "I don't want any of those long needles inside my lungs. It's a great program and everyone can take something away from it."