On Sunday, October 4th, multiple agencies participated in a multi-agency disaster drill at the Fire Training Academy on Herbertsville Rd.

Manchester Township EMS
Jackson Township EMS
Lakewood Township EMS
Berkeley Township EMS
Ocean County EMS Coordinators
Brick Township Office of Emergency Management
Brick Township Fire Bureau
Herbertsville Fire Company
Laurelton Fire Company
Pioneer Hose Fire Company
Brick Township Police
Brick Township EMS

The exercise was named Operation Total Chaos and included simulations of the following:

Large propane tank fire
Multiple overturned motor vehicles with victims inside
Overturned school bus with victims inside
An open field search for victims
Large debris field
Structure rescue
Live wires on the ground
Victim Extrication

There were approximately 80 participants including role players.

The disaster preparedness drill was developed by Brick Township EMS Director Rob Contreras and Manchester EMS Director Rob Baran.

“The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate players’ actions against current response plans and capabilities responding to a weather-related emergency in Ocean County,” said Director Contreras.

The drill began at approximately 8:30 on Sunday morning and lasted for over 2 hours. Fire and EMS personnel worked together to extricate wounded victims from vehicles while dealing with live fires, smoke and live wires on the ground. Victims were triaged, treated and rehabbed as each circumstance dictated. Special equipment was used, such as a Mass Care Response Unit and an Alternative Support Apparatus all-terrain vehicle. Players utilized the Incident Command System to organize the response, which is the same system utilized for emergency response throughout the country. The entire company of players was debriefed by the Incident Commanders and several participants shared their insights and lessons from running such an elaborate drill.

Director Contreras said, “Everyone did a fantastic job, and thank you to Dr. Ken Lavelle, our Medical Director for attending the exercise and overseeing the health and safety of our participants. Through this exercise we were able to identify areas where we can improve, such as interagency communications and triaging victims.”

The drill was observed by Chief James Riccio, Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Joe Pawlowicz, the Brick Township Safety Officer Ron Gaskill, and the Brick Township Fire Bureau. Chief Riccio said, “Everyone did a great job. Drills like this are important to help to identify areas where we can do better and prepare for emergencies when they really happen. It was good to see all these agencies coming together and working as a team.”