Scouts evaluated and awarded based on efforts at each site
By REBECCA GROSS Special to the Daily Press
Dozens of people were the victims of several disasters that occurred on Monday including a serious car crash, a pool disaster, a drive-by shooting, medical emergencies, a biohazard terrorist attack and car that hit two bicyclists.
The day was dubbed “Bloody Monday” by Santa Monica Boy Scout Troop 2, which held nine simulated disasters as part of a training exercise for the scouts. About 85 boy scouts participated in the training exercises held at locations north Montana Avenue.
The scouts attempted to use their first aid and emergency preparedness training to manage the disaster sites, identify the victims who were most seriously hurt and treat patients as necessary.
“It’s a drill for the boys to become familiar with any type of disaster scenario,” said volunteer Graham Wong, whose two adult sons are Eagle Scouts. “It’s something they just can’t do in the classroom.”
On 15th Street, scouts had to attend to two women and a child who were seriously injured in a simulated car wreck while hysterical bystanders explained that three victims were suffering from gunshot wounds on 22nd Street and a 15-year-old girl suffered from electrocution on 21st Place.
In the 1700 block of San Vicente Boulevard, scouts had to treat two victims who suffered major head injuries and a broken leg. The other victim had fallen into the pool and broke his back.
Ilan Ben-Meir, a Troop 2 scout, said the exercise helped him learn what to do in a disaster.
“The troop prepared me,” he said. “I didn’t think of anything, I just jumped in (to the pool) and helped.”
Bill Pullen, a 13-year-old 1st class scout, said he thought the events seemed realistic and felt his unit was prepared.
At a bicycle and car accident site on Georgina Avenue, scouts had to evaluate two injured girls and calm an upset driver.
Emily Ferrell, one of the bicycle victims, suffered a leg injury but was able to address the person who hit her.
“You’re going to jail,” she yelled at the driver, as scouts tried to control the situation. Scouts also had to treat Nicole Wong, the other bicycle victim who was an unresponsive victim bleeding from the head.
“It’s funny to see (the Scout’s) reactions,” Ferrell, 15, said. “Sometimes they’re really freaked out.”
“It’s funny to see (the Scout’s) reactions. Sometimes they’re really freaked out.” — — EMILY FERRELL Simulated disaster victim
Troops were given 15 minutes to get a handle on the situation and respond with first aid, said Tony Putzulu, whose son, Matthew, is a 2nd class scout. Scouts were then scored on how they responded to the disaster. Parents, troop volunteers, and Santa Monica police and firefighters offered advice on the situations.
“The majority of your manpower needs to be helping the worse off,” said Santa Monica Firefighter and paramedic Fred Roberts. “It’s easy to get the guy with the arm scratch out (of the car), but he’s not the one who needs help the most.”
While at the electrocution site, assistant scoutmaster Dan Stirling stressed the importance of assessing each situation and then deciding what to do next.
“The main thing is to keep the person alive,” he said.
Eagle Scout Johnny Dahlem, 18, said one of the goals of the drills is to prepare people “for any kind of disaster and have people out there who can help others.”
At the end of the evening, the scouts were debriefed at Lincoln Middle School. They were awarded rankings based on their efforts.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 13, 2003. Read the original PDF.