Warwick will play out disaster drill Saturday

Warwick - Warwick emergency service personnel including all Town of Warwick fire departments and ambulance corps, as well as police, hospital, school and town officials will take part in a mass casualty incident drill this Saturday, April 29, beginning at 9 a.m. The drill will take place at Warwick Valley High School, where a mock scenario calls for a simulated accident in the school involving a hazardous material that has injured students. The officials participating in the drill will focus on the implementation of the National Incident Management System. This system has been developed so responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together to respond more efficiently to natural disasters and other emergencies. A unified approach to incident management is the goal. 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 in the drill, traffic in the area of West Street and County Route 1A is expected to be congested. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible between 9 a.m. and noon. The townwide telephone alert system will be activated in advance of the drill to advise residents of the event and remind them that it is only a drill.