Special Events: Operation Prom Night

(pictured) Fire Chief John Heavey (at podium) introduces some of members of the Operation Prom Night Committee following Mayor Tony Arredia’s issuance of the Mayoral Proclamation at Monday Night’s Council Meeting. Committee members present include (left to right) Police Chief Jim Prandini, Maine West High School Assistant Principal David Berendt, and Deputy EMA Coordinator John Keane. (pictured in the background are City Attorney David Wiltse and City Clerk Donna McAllister.) Operation Prom Night, held at Maine West High School on May 3, 2007, exposes young people to the travesties of drinking and driving.

For the ninth time in 17 years, on Thursday, May 3, 2007, Des Plaines Maine West High School juniors and seniors will experience Operation Prom Night- a program developed by the Fire and Police Department to expose young people to the travesties of drinking and driving. Traditionally planned to be presented prior to both class proms, Operation Prom Night is an eye opening experience with selected speakers sharing personal accounts of incidents involving drinking and driving.

Weather permitting, students will gather in the Maine West Football Stadium, 1755 S. Wolf Road, at 7:30 am, May 3, 2007, for a presentation depicting a car accident scene involving fatalities.

According to Des Plaines Lieutenant Brad Butler, who has been coordinating Operation Prom Night since its inception, the presentation involving Des Plaines student actors, in combination with the first person accounts of surviving victims, and a final slide show featuring scenes of everyday activities at Maine West interspersed with actual automobile accident scenes, leave a lasting impression on observers:

"We hope that the experience of listening to the words and accounts of those people who have undergone a tragedy involving the affects of drinking and driving will serve as a reminder and as a deterrent to young people. The presentation specifically depicts young people on the way to their prom and the resulting tragedy that occurs when the young driver makes the wrong choice – to drink and drive. In a moment’s time his life and that of all those involved, and those on the periphery, are changed forever. It is something you can’t change once it happens and it destroys lives, " Butler said.

This year, Fire Chief John Heavey, Police Officer Tara Goble, accident victim Marti Belluschi, and Reverend William Grice, Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Des Plaines, will address students in the Maine West Auditorium following the crash scene.

According to Butler, Operation Prom Night 2007 will be updated from previous presentations taking into account some of the current trends emergency personnel are observing on accidents involving teens and drinking.

"There are many distractions that young drivers are confronted with today that did not exist a few years ago such as cell phones, ipods, headphones, text messaging… and cars being driven at high speeds. This year’s Prom Night presentation will include these factors. We need to keep updating the program with the times," Butler said.

This year the Prom Night Committee is also investigating the possibility of having students sign a promise pledge with their parents stating that they will not drink and drive. The signed pledge would entitle students to discounted tickets to the prom.

"The Police and Fire Departments and the schools are working very hard on reaching out to the parents of our youth. This year we are looking to invite and involve parents in our Prom Night Program. Our Prom Night Committee understands how important a parent’s role is in setting rules, communicating and influencing their child’s attitude towards driving decisions," Chief Heavey said.

This year’s Operation Prom Night Committee has also chosen to focus on the value of positive peer pressure. "We hope to teach students ways that they can positively support each other when difficult decisions have to be made. It’s a mindset that we have to create among the students… that it is OK to do the right thing. We need to convince students that when a friend makes a mature choice, that may or may not be popular, and is in the best interest of the group’s overall safety, that their friends understand, respect, and support that choice," Heavey said.

Members of the Warriors Against Drunk Driving (WADA), a Maine West student group, will also be working with students this year doing followup after the Operation Prom

Night presentation. Plans are also being made to work with a local cab company to promote students calling for cabs rather than getting in a car with a peer who has been drinking.

According to Butler, "Operation Prom Night has gained a great deal of popularity over the years. Our Fire Department has received inquires from throughout the world, from as far away as Australia, as to how it is coordinated. The Committee has always approached the event with the idea that if we help save one life through Operation Prom Night, then the program is successful."

Members of the 2007 Prom Night Committee include Dave Berendt, Maine West High School Assistant Principal; Dr. Audrey Haugan, Maine West High School Principal; John Heavey, Des Plaines Fire Department Chief; Brad Butler, Des Plaines Fire Department Lieutenant; Jan McClellan, Maine West Social Worker; Dave Matkovic, Maine West Dean; Corri Ferdman, Student Assistance Program Director; Carla Skiba, Maine West English and Oral Communications Teacher; Jim Prandini, Des Plaines Police Department Chief; Tara Goble, Des Plaines Police Department; Gail MacDonald, English Department Faculty; Chris Addante, Athletic Director; Richard Groelig, Fine Arts Director; Mike Godlewski, Physical Education Department Chairman; Marcy Petersen, Secretary to the Assistant Principal; Eric Palm, City of Des Plaines Assistant to the City Manager; Karen Henrikson, City of Des Plaines Public Relations; Don Meseth, Executive Director Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Coordinator; Reverend William Grice, Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Des Plaines, and Martha Belluschi, DUI Crash Victim.

Fire Chief John Heavey commented about the program: "Our young people are our most precious asset and truly our future. We hope that Operation Prom Night 2007 will make them cognizant of the dangers of drinking and driving and, in doing so, help save lives. Our Department takes pride in producing this program along with School District #207 and many other community agencies. It’s a community wide program that we feel is very worthwhile."

Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia will sign a proclamation declaring Operation Prom Night Week in Des Plaines. Plans are underway to have the proclamation presented formally at a City Council Meeting.

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