‘Mass casualty' drill set for April 29 in Warwick

Warwick - Warwick emergency service personnel, along with town, village, school and hospital officials, will conduct a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) drill on Saturday morning, April 29, at the Warwick High School. The mock scenario calls for a simulated accident in the school involving a hazardous material that has injured many students. Participants will focus on the implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), developed so responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together to respond more efficiently to natural disasters and other emergencies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency now requires all governmental, non-governmental and private sector personnel who have a direct role in emergency management to be NIMS-trained. This includes all emergency services such as EMS, firefighters, law enforcement, hospitals, public works and utility company employees. Since many agencies will be participating, traffic in the area of West Street and County Route 1A is expected to be congested. Motorists are advised to avoid the area between 9 a.m. and noon. The town-wide telephone alert system will be activated to advise residents of the event and remind them that it is only a drill. The photo and information for this story was provided by Thom Cronin of the Warwick Fire Department.