Every 15 Minutes

“Every 15 Minutes” Program returns to San Juan Island

Friday Harbor, Wash. – One person dies nationally, each fifteen minutes, in a drug or alcohol related auto crash. Every 15 Minutes is a nationally recognized program that creates increased community awareness and action to reduce alcohol and drug related incidents and deaths.

On April 21 and 22 , the fourth Every 15 Minutes program will be held in Friday Harbor.  This two day event will include simulated death announcements every fifteen minutes during local High School classes, a catastrophic auto accident demonstration, transport of multiple patients to the ER at PIMC, the arrest and trial of a student for DUI, reactions from the student victims and their parents and a mock funeral with a heartfelt speaker.

San Juan Island’s emergency responders have joined forces to create a “real life” experience intended to impact this community and youth.  “The “Every 15 Minutes” program is amazing. As a 911 Dispatcher, I see the results of bad decisions and meet people who are having, for some, their worst day. I also compile statistics for cases so I see, firsthand, that there has been a decline in teenage alcohol related incidents and accidents in the San Juans. I feel very strongly that the Prevention Coalition and ‘Every 15 Minutes’ have a direct role in that decline,” said Michael McElrath, San Juan Sheriff’s Dispatcher.

This event is sponsored every three years by San Juan Island EMS and is funded through generous donations and grants from the community.