Drill Follows Medevac Incident for Watchung Firefighters [VIDEO]

After a  late Saturday afternoon, Watchung EMS volunteers and firefighters responded to the scene in Warren Township, providing assistance to the township's crews.

The Watchung firefighters' task was to set up an area in which medical evacuation helicopters could safely land to whisk several severely injured passengers of the car to area hospitals.

Saturday's real-life drill went well, but by coincidence, the local volunteers had scheduled a medivac drill for Tuesday night, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the Medevac system in New Jersey—including a chance to closely inspect the State Police's Northstar service helicopters.

"This was very helpful," Watchung EMS Chief Adam Wexler said. "You don't get to see the thing when you're responding to an accident."

Following a presentation by Northstar Flight Nurse Tim Brown on the procedures, rules and services offered by the State Police program funded by a fee on vehicle registrations and a flat rate for transporation, Watchung firefighters set up a landing zone at Phillips Field. Using flares placed about 150 feet apart in the corners of a square to mark the zone, as firetrucks kept lights flashing to help guide the Medivac pilots, the volunteers waited for the arrival of the helicopter.

Fire Chief Thomas Carlucci said the crews had done a similar drill about three years ago. The two groups hold about four joint drills annually, according to OEM Coordinator Gary Greves, which include field drills like Tuesday's as well as programs on information the responders need to know, such as blood-born pathogens and Rght-to-know laws. "It's good to interact with these guys," Wexler added.

The real star attraction of the night was the massive Augusta Westland 139 helicopter, one of five new, larger helicopters put in service by the State Police. The new helicopters are able to transport two passengers at once—which was crucial to Saturday's life-saving efforts. The new fleet replaces a line of smaller Sikorsky helicopters, which could only carry a single patient.

Another feature of the larger helicopters is the ability for patients to be boarded while the helicopter is "hot"—that is, with the engine and rotors running. The older helicopters had to be shut down, adding minutes to life-saving efforts where seconds are critical.

With the practice and the experience, Watchung's volunteer responders are well-prepared for handling the complexities of a medivac call, whether during the day or night.