Yisroel R.

Kiryas Joel Hatzalah conducted a large-scale mass-casualty incident drill, providing members with an opportunity to practice their response to a simulated major emergency involving numerous patients with varying injuries.

Drills of this magnitude require extensive planning and preparation. A team of skilled and experienced members met numerous times to develop and execute a detailed operational plan. Careful consideration was given to creating realistic patients with varying levels of injury in order to maximize the value of the training.

The drill simulated a serious school-bus incident, with Hatzalah members converging on the scene as they would during an actual large-scale emergency. Hatzalah ambulances, fire apparatus, Chaverim vehicles, and other emergency vehicles were staged throughout the area as the exercise unfolded.

Hatzalah members treated and moved simulated patients from the scene, bringing stretchers to the bus and transporting patients to waiting ambulances. Multiple crews worked simultaneously, recreating the pressure, communication, and coordination required when a large number of patients need care at once.

Members of the Kiryas Joel Fire Department also participated in the training and worked around the bus and coordinated closely with Hatzalah members as patients were removed. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel operated side by side throughout the exercise, allowing both organizations to practice their respective roles as part of a unified response.

Chaverim participated in the drill as well, assisting with traffic and scene coordination as emergency vehicles moved throughout the area and responders worked around the simulated incident.

The exercise was conducted twice, allowing all members to participate and giving a broader group of volunteers hands-on experience with a mass-casualty scenario. More than 75 Hatzalah members took part in the drill.

Experienced outside specialists observed and evaluated the operation, providing valuable feedback on the overall response and identifying areas for continued growth. The evaluators gave Kiryas Joel Hatzalah a very high rating. While there are always opportunities for improvement, the drill further strengthened the skills, knowledge, and readiness of our members as they continue saving lives.

The extensive exercise gave Kiryas Joel Hatzalah an opportunity to practice communication, patient movement, scene management, and interagency coordination, all essential elements of an effective response when, Chas V’shalom, a major emergency brings numerous patients and responders to a single scene.

This drill would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of our dedicated Hatzolah members, the Kiryas Yoel Fire Department, Chaverim, M&S Auto, the Village of Kiryas Yoel, and everyone else who contributed to making this training exercise a success.

photos: Y. Stein