For Immediate Release:
September 28, 2009
County conducts successful disaster training drill
Event coordinates a fictional multi-level response
OCEANPORT, NJ – Monmouth County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Health Department coordinated a simulated weather-related disaster and multi-casualty exercise at the county’s Wolf Hill Recreation Area on Saturday, Sept. 26.
“This training exercise was designed to evaluate emergency preparedness and response for the county and our local partners,” said Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow, who participated in event. “One of the best ways to know if our disaster preparedness efforts are on target is to conduct a drill that lets county staff and volunteers work together as a scenario unfolds.”
“We conduct these drills periodically throughout the year so that in the event of a disaster everyone will know what to do,” OEM Coordinator Glenn Mason said. “I want to thank all of the first responders and especially the Scouts for helping us hone our emergency response skills.”
The multi-agency exercise brought together more than 200 emergency responders including volunteer Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps members (MRC), local firefighters, first aid squad members and other emergency preparedness partners from local, county and state agencies.
The exercise was based on the aftermath of a simulated severe thunderstorm and lightening strike that occurred at the site of a local youth campout. Local youth and adult members of the Monmouth Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore participated as “victims” for the purpose of the drill.
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Members of the county’s local CERT and MRC teams responded to the site and used their skills and instincts to locate and care for more than 100 simulated victims,” said county Deputy OEM Coordinator Gary McTighe, who directed the event for the county. “The scouts did a fantastic job by playing up their injuries. The fake wounds and broken bones they displayed really put our teams through their paces.”
Representatives from FEMA, New Jersey State Police, Red Cross Disaster Team, Salvation Army Disaster Team, Monmouth University and several fire and first aid squads participated as well.
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