Anticipating when disaster will strike

Warwick-area first-responders execute mock disaster drill Warwick - About 250 people, from firefighters and EMS personnel to DPW workers, hospital staff and students, participated last Saturday in a mock disaster designed to test their preparedness for a major accident. The scenario created by organizers was that a large explosion and fire occurred in a chemistry lab on the second floor of Warwick Valley High School floor during school hours that left more than 30 students injured. All that firefighters were told was that there had been an explosion on the second floor. Rescue personnel found the students, feigning injures of varying degrees, laying on the floor of the lab and in the hallway. A command posted was needed as was a triage area to identify which students had been critically injured. There was no hazardous materials team on site; the students had to be “transported dirty” to St. Anthony Community Hospital. Observers from outside agencies were present to evaluate the performance of fire departments and EMS. The general consensus afterwards was that while there some aspects of the operation needed improvement, the drill went well. In addition, it was important, one fire official noted, to show the community that the department was serious about its training, mission and preparedness. About 50 students were among the 250 people involved in the exercise. The other agencies that participated included: • Fire departments from Warwick, Florida, Greenwood Lake, Pine Island and Vernon, N.J. • EMS from Warwick, Florida, Greenwood Lake, Pine Island and Regional Medical. • The Warwick Police Department, Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Warwick Town Department of Public Works; Warwick Valley School District; and St. Anthony Community Hospital. Two firefighters and two students were treated for minor injuries at St. Anthony Community Hospital and released. Information for this story was provided by Mike Bousquet.