EPIC Medic Traffic Safety Program Teaches San Diego Kids Hands-on Safety Skills

SAN DIEGO--Aug. 6, 2005--Today, 30 unsuspecting youngsters got the surprise of their lives when each won a brand new, shiny red mini-Corvette at the unveiling of Safety City, a new mobile traffic safety educational program that will be available to schools and organizations throughout San Diego County. Many of the kids are cancer survivors, while others are economically disadvantaged.

The program is coordinated by EPIC Medics (Eliminate Preventable Injuries of Children), a non-profit organization of Paramedics and Firefighters dedicated to preventing childhood injuries. The mobile Safety City program features a realistic miniature city with buildings simulating a typical traffic environment, complete with streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, traffic signs, and crosswalks to teach children about traffic safety through hands-on experience. As part of the realistic traffic environment, participants maneuver through the miniature city setting on small pedal cars, bicycles and as pedestrians and learn how to interpret and comply with traffic signals and street signs, and exercise proper crosswalk behavior. They also learn the importance of using seatbelts and encouraging their parents to yield for approaching emergency vehicles.

"Each year, unintentional injuries from traffic-related incidents are the number one cause of death among children ages five to 14," said Paul Maxwell, a paramedic and president / founder of EPIC Medics. "Safety City's goal is to help reduce this widespread problem."

The Barona Band of Mission Indians donated $20,000 to support Safety City and purchased the 30 mini-Corvettes, fees and taxes included, to give away at the launch event.

"It is our sincere hope that our contribution to Safety City will help spread the message of traffic safety prevention throughout San Diego and beyond," said Rhonda Welch-Scalco, chairwoman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "Safety City is a model program that is destined to save lives locally and throughout the United States."

During the opening ceremony, Andrew Hargis, one of the 30 kids participating in the program, was presented with a giant key by Barona Councilwoman Bonnie LaChappa and named the "Mayor" of Safety City. The six-year-old assisted with the ribbon cutting and other mayoral duties. Diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma cancer at age two, Andrew just returned from the City of Hope where he received a stem cell transplant and is scheduled for radiation treatment in the near future.

Numerous non-profit organizations throughout San Diego nominated Hargis and the other children invited to participate in the launch event including the Big Sister Mentor Program, San Diego Reads, Children's Hospital, Think First, Encanto Head Start, Safe Ridin' Kidz, Profil Institute for Clinical Research, and the Black Sabbath Motorcycle Club.

Other highlights included an appearance by Pamela Howe of Clear Channel Traffic who served as the event emcee, and a performance by children from the Spring-Valley based Young Actors Theater.

The Safety City launch event and program was made possible through the generous contributions of program sponsors including EPIC Medics, the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Grossmont Healthcare District, State Farm Insurance, Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation, the San Miguel Firefighters, PacifiCare Foundation and the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary.

While Safety City was developed and launched in San Diego, EPIC Medics designed it to be copied and used nationwide. The organization has prepared detailed course construction instructions, implementation procedures, sponsor tips and product source lists to assist other emergency service agencies and educational institutions to bring Safety City to their community.

For more information on Safety City or the many programs offered by EPIC Medics, call 619-303-4228, via email at epicmedics@cox.net, or on the Web at www.epicmedics.org.