Juniors and seniors at Palatka Jr.–Sr. High School witnessed a powerful and unforgettable lesson on the importance of safe driving during The LifeFlight Experience, presented by Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
The program began with impactful presentations from emergency medical professionals, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and first responders who shared the real-life consequences of distracted driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and other risky choices behind the wheel.
Parker Brigance, Director of the Emergency Service Line at Baptist Health, spoke candidly with students about the most common causes of serious crashes: failing to wear a seatbelt, texting and driving, and other forms of distracted driving.
Students heard from trauma team members, firefighter-paramedics, LifeFlight crew members, and Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach, who emphasized that the number one cause of crashes is simply not paying attention while behind the wheel.
The indoor presentations set the stage for a live emergency response demonstration on campus. Outside, students observed a realistic two-vehicle crash scenario as first responders arrived and demonstrated the coordinated effort required during a serious accident. Firefighter-paramedics used hydraulic rescue tools, commonly known as the “Jaws of Life,” to safely extract a patient from one of the vehicles.
Moments later, a LifeFlight helicopter landed on the school field, creating a powerful visual of what happens when injuries are critical. Students watched as the patient was carefully loaded into the aircraft and prepared for transport to a trauma center, witnessing firsthand the speed, precision, and teamwork required to save lives.
During the demonstration, students had the opportunity to ask questions and speak directly with LifeFlight crew members, firefighters, and paramedics about their roles and real-life experiences.
The goal of the program is not only awareness, but prevention — helping students understand that a split-second decision behind the wheel can lead to lifelong consequences.
This learning opportunity was made possible through the efforts of PCSD Health Coordinator Kena Foster, who coordinated the event in partnership with Palatka Jr.–Sr. High School, the Palatka Fire Department, Baptist Health, Air Methods, and local emergency response agencies. Foster worked closely with each organization to bring the full-scale experience to campus, ensuring students could see firsthand how community partners work together during life-threatening emergencies.
Foster also shared a personal message with students during the program, reminding them that many people affected by serious crashes live with lasting consequences and that the choices they make today can shape their future.
At Putnam County School District, our goal is to shape the future and that includes helping students make safe choices that protect their lives and the lives of others. District leaders hope students carry the lessons from this experience with them for a lifetime.
More pictures from the event can be found here.
The video presentation from the event can be found here (coming soon).
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