Fire chief shares his experience with students

Southborough/Northborough - Last month Southborough Fire Chief John Mauro spoke to students and parents at Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) about how they can be safer on the road.

Members of the Algonquin Regional High School Chapter of SADD, (back, l to r) Michelle Doiron, Eric Hubley, Carro Halpin, Phil Cole, James Koch, (front, l to r) Jill Hubley, Chrissy Doucette, Hayley Morse, and ARHS SADD President Kelsey Laning meet with Southborough Fire Chief John Mauro. PHOTO/MARY PRITCHARD Mauro gave a presentation Dec. 3 about car accidents and explained that most are preventable. According to Mauro, a firefighter for 34 years and EMT for 27 years, most of the crashes his department responds to are a direct result of driving with some type of impairment, including intoxication, distraction (by things like cell phones, radio, friends and smoking), sleepiness, inexperience or lack of attention.

During the discussion, Mauro said that he has often been asked why a firefighter is giving a talk about drinking and driving instead of a police officer.

"We are the guys who pick up the pieces of the car crash," Mauro said. "... We deal with the human tragedy of it."

Approximately 40 people, including 12 ARHS Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) members, attended the presentation, which was hosted by the Home Safety Network (HSN). The HSN is a support group of parents who are committed to keeping teens safe by pledging to supervise all parties in their homes, not serve any alcohol to teens and not allow illegal drugs on their property.

By setting boundaries and off ering a forum for parents to talk with other parents and children about parties and substance abuse, the HSN hopes to educate and inspire teens to make safe choices.

"Chief Mauro presented this to students in health classes last year, and he felt it would be helpful for parents to have this information as well, and I agreed," HSN Chair Ann Taggart said. "I think the parents learned something new about the risks involved for teenage drivers. I know I did. Hopefully, parents will use this as an opportunity to talk with their teenagers about staying safe when they are on the road."

ARHS Guidance Counselor Becca Haberman, advisor to ARHS SADD, commended the students who have joined SADD since the chapter began last year.

"This year under Kelsey Laning and Christina Doucette's leadership, the group has not only grown but is playing an active role in promoting better decisions," Haberman said. "I have just been so impressed with our students, their commitment to making good decisions and to spreading information to their peers."

SADD, which originally stood for Students Against Drunk Driving, now covers a broader spectrum of issues teens struggle with.

Mauro will continue to share his presentation with students in their health classes.

For more information about the HSN, visit www.homesafetynetwork. org or contact Ann Taggart at 508-393-4735 or atagg60@verizon.net.