LONG BEACH ISLAND — Firefighters, emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers from across the Long Beach Island area participated in a large-scale boating accident training exercise designed to prepare responders for emergencies involving multiple patients.
The mass-casualty incident drill was conducted by agencies within EMS Zone 2 under the leadership of Ocean County EMS Deputy Coordinator Michael Wolfschmidt and EMT Instructor Bob Selfridge on July 27.
During the exercise, responders practiced coordinating rescue operations, establishing an incident command structure and managing patient triage, treatment and transportation. The scenario also allowed participating departments to test communications, allocate resources and work together during a complex emergency.
Officials said exercises involving multiple public safety agencies help identify potential challenges before an actual emergency occurs. The training also strengthens regional response capabilities and reinforces cooperation among fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel.
Organizers thanked the participating agencies and volunteers for dedicating their time to the exercise and helping improve emergency preparedness for residents and visitors.
