City's EMS Collaborates for Multi-Agency Disaster Drill

Glen Cove's Emergency Medical Services participated in a multi-agency disaster drill at Long Island University's C.W. Post campus on March 31, testing responders' preparedness for an event that would call for the treatment of dozens of victims, according to a press release from EMS chief Matt Venturino.

"The drill accomplished its purpose by addressing both strengths and weaknesses in our local response to disasters," Venturino said.

The drill, a "Mass Casualty Incident scenario," simulated a situation in which a tornado had touched down on campus and left dozens of students and staff injured.

The exercise was coordinated by the Roslyn Rescue Fire Company and included resources and equipment from several local fire departments and EMS agencies, LIU-Post College, the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, the Nassau County Community Emergency Response Team, the Nassau County Medical Reserve Corps, American Red Cross and the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

Glen Cove EMS sent 11 members, one ambulance and a specialized vehicle designed to deal with emergencies of such scale.

Venturino said the city is "fortunate to have" the vehicle, a 2009 Chevy Silverado pick-up truck "equipped with large quantities of medical equipment for triage and treatment, disaster support equipment, state of the art communication equipment to allow responders to communicate with agencies throughout Nassau County, and off-roading capability."

He said the truck is designed to triage and provide care for up to 50 people, adding that it responds to all major emergencies in the city and is kept on standby at large public events.