Firefighters, Ambulance Squads Respond to 'Plane Crash' Training Drill

If a tragic plane crash ever occurs in the area, many local firefighters and ambulance squads would be ready to efficiently do their jobs after participating in a Mass Casualty Incident Drill at the National Grid Northport Power Station on Sunday.

The Northport Fire Department simulated a plane crash that had 30 passengers on board. The “crash” caused people on the power plant and in the water to also suffer casualties. Others were still “trapped” in the wreckage.

The casualties were played by junior firefighters and EMS volunteers who scattered themselves around the wreckage while decorated with simulated injuries. Additionally, several mannequins were placed in the water to replicate floating bodies for the search and rescue operations.

During the rescue, firefighters used heavy rescue tools to free the passengers from the wreck (two school buses were used as the “plane”) and emergency medical crews triaged and treated the patients.

The patients were transported by ambulances to Huntington Hospital for their required emergency training.

Over 100 firefighters, emergency medical and first response personnel participated in the drill, using about 20 emergency vehicles and five rescue boats.

Eight local fire departments and ambulance squads participated during the drill, including the Northport, East Northport, Centerport, Greenlawn, Eaton’s Neck, Kings Park, Hicksville fire departments, and the Huntington Community First Aid Squad. Other agencies also participated, including, the U.S. Coast Guard, Suffolk County Police, Northport Village Police, Huntington Harbormaster, Suffolk County Fire Rescue, and National Grid personnel.

The drill was held under the command of Northport Fire Chief Joe Pansini, and operations of First Assistant Chief Brad Wine who coordinated the drill, and Second Assistant Chief John Jacobsen.

Photos by Steve Silverman