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DANC Holds Emergency Drill at Regional Landfill in
Rodman
Published: June 11, 2021 at
09:15 a.m.
By: Press Release from the Development Authority of
the North Country
June 10, 2021
Emergency Drill
Held at Regional Landfill
The Development
Authority of the North Country hosted the South Jefferson Rescue Squad and
other local emergency response volunteers at its regional landfill in
Rodman on June 10 for an emergency drill. The drill provided the
opportunity for the both the emergency responders and Development Authority
staff to test their response to a scenario involving a confined space
rescue, an explosion and injuries.
The drill tested
the proficiency of communication and coordination in the
event that multiple people are injured in accidents onsite. An
important aspect of the drill is for the emergency responders to manage
multiple tasks under a “unified command” umbrella.
“We conduct these
types of exercises to better prepare the emergency responders in the event
of a real incident,” said Robert VanCoughnett, South
Jefferson Rescue Chief. “It gives the volunteers the opportunity to test
their flexibility and skills when responding to an emergency and allows
them the opportunity to practice on a real site, like the landfill.”
The South Jeff
Rescue Squad sponsored the event and other organizations that participated
on the landfill site included the Rodman Fire Department, Adams Center Fire
Department, and Town of Watertown Ambulance, as well as Development
Authority staff.
“It’s important
to hold drills like this so that Authority staff are prepared and
understand both their roles and how to work with emergency responders in
the event that an incident does occur,” said Carl E. Farone,
Jr., Executive Director of the Development Authority. “We were pleased to
have the opportunity to participate in this event with Jefferson County
emergency responders and we thank them for their dedication.”
Much of the
event’s coordination was done by South Jeff Rescue members and recent EMT
students Peyton Cloke and Matt Yusen, as they
successfully completed their EMT course and internship with South Jefferson
Rescue and will now transition from the military to emergency services
careers.
The drill
scenario included workers being rescued from a confined space, and a
methane gas explosion with injuries. It gave the emergency personnel the
opportunity to practice confined space rescue and heavy rescue techniques.
The drill proceeded safely and there were no actual injuries.
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