On Friday, April 16, 2010, the Wapello Fire Department in conjunction with the Louisa County Emergency Management, Wapello Ambulance Service, Wapello Police Department, Louisa County Sheriff, MedForce, and the Wapello High School Student Senate executed a scenario for the students of Wapello High School as we near the Prom and Graduation seasons. 

Early in the year, the members of the Wapello High School Student Senate approached the department with their concept of Operation PROM.  Discussions immediately began with personnel from the Wapello Fire Department, Louisa County Emergency Management, and the Wapello High School.  It was decided that the exercise would take place two weeks ahead of the scheduled Prom at the school.  The students had an idea of what they wanted but with the help of the Wapello Fire Department and Louisa County Emergency Management, an exercise was planned that far exceeded any of their ideas.

The day began around 9:00 a.m. in the Wapello High School Auditorium with the actors portraying a couple leaving for their prom, saying good bye to their parents and leaving for a fun filled evening at the prom.   Students then went outside where two vehicles covered with black tarps were found.  Bart French, a retired teacher and Wapello Fireman gave a narration of what had taken place.  Alcohol had been consumed, the driver  (Dustin Schneider) got behind the wheel intoxicated, and drove down the road and crashed into another vehicle with one occupant (Maria DeAlejandro).  The tarps were then removed to find Dustin sitting next to the vehicle, and his date (Zoey Grimm) laying on the hood of the car.  Maria was pinned inside of her vehicle and was crying and screaming that she was severely injured.  All participants were covered in blood, their clothes torn and tattered, and the vehicles destroyed. 

Wapello Fire and Rescue and Wapello Ambulance were sent to the parking lot for a report of a motor vehicle collision with injuries.  When responders arrived, they immediately went to work on the injured patients.  Dustin was being attended to by the Wapello Police Department, Maria was determined to be injured severely and would need to be flown to a Trauma Center.  Wapello Fire called for the assistance of MedForce 2 from West Burlington for this assistance.  It was determined by medical personnel that Zoey's injuries were not compatible with life, and she was pronounced dead on arrival. 

Responders used the Amikus Rescue tools to cut apart Maria's car to extricate her, and prepared her for transport.  Upon the arrival of MedForce 2, Maria was wheeled to the waiting helicopter and flown to a nearby landing location to simulate a take off from the scene and subsequent flight to the University of Iowa Trauma Center.  Louisa County Medical Examiner Investigator, Jason Griffin arrived and pronounced death of Zoey and she was covered with a sheet and removed from the scene.  Personnel determined that Dustin did not have serious injuries and he was tested at the scene for driving while impaired by the Wapello Police Department.  The Wapello Police Department determined through their tests that Dustin had been drinking and was arrested for suspicion of Operating While Intoxicated. 

The students then returned to the auditorium to witness Zoey's family receiving notification by Louisa County Sheriff's deputy Adam Caudle and Medical Examiner Investigator Jason Griffin.

The scene was then changed to the funeral of Zoey Grimm.  Lori Doolin provided music for the service and Pastor Dan Doolin of the Solid Rock Baptist Church provided the service.  Zoey was laying in a casket brought in by Cordell Hagele of the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home during the service.

At the conclusion of the service, Dustin was escorted into a courtroom in his jail issued orange jumpsuit and stood in front of the Honorable Roger Huddle, Louisa County Magistrate to hear his sentence for his fatal car crash while driving impaired.  The jail sentence was 90 days with all but 2 being suspended and approximately $155,000 in fines. 

The final component of the presentation was Crysta Wiley's speech to the students how an alcohol related crash has impacted her family.  Isaac's story, as told by Crystal was a very moving account of the events that ultimately led to Isaac losing his life due to a choice of driving while impaired. 

In the afternoon, members of the Junior and Senior Class were given the chance to do some exercises while wearing the Fatal Vision Goggles that give the wearer a chance to see things through the eyes of one that is impaired.  Simple tasks such as catching a tennis ball or walking a straight line became very difficult for some while wearing the goggles.

A special thank-you to all of those involved in this exercise, especially Jim Jack's for donating the cars that were used.  Jim's Body Shop delivered and placed the cars and also came back on Friday afternoon and hauled the remains away for us. 

The Wapello Fire Department will be looking forward to the next Operation PROM in a few years.