Brick Adds Mass Casualty Response Unit to the Fleet
'Mobile emergency room' will be used by volunteer, police EMS squads
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The township's Mass Care Response Unit, provided to the township under a state grant, has been officially added to the township's fleet of emergency vehicles.
The 36-foot-long vehicle functions as a mobile emergency room to provide medical support to mass casualty incidents, capable of managing more than 100 patients at a time.
Last fall, the township council awarded a $339,466 contract to New Jersey Emergency Vehicles, a Wall Township-based company, to build the unit.
Officials said the unit can be used to respond to incidents ranging from large-scale traffic incidents to natural disasters. The Brick unit is one of six stationed across the state, and is stocked with everything from basic and advanced life support equipment to poisonous gas meters, radiation detectors, defibrillators, mass casualty triage vests and tags, generators, misting fans, multi-patient oxygen delivery systems, long boards for moving injured patients, advanced airways, and a full complement of medications that would otherwise be carried on a paramedic unit.
The unit will be held at one of the Brick Volunteer EMS buildings in town and training will be provided to all paid and volunteer EMT’s to operate and utilize the unit during an emergency.
Already, the unit has been used once – on July 10, when a school bus full of children from a summer camp was involved in an accident. Brick Police Sgt. Keith Reinhard said the vehicle left a training exercise to respond to the scene and "invaluable" in treating children who had sustained injuries.
"As with all of our emergency response equipment it is our hope that we never have to use these new assets," said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis in a statement. "But citizens should take comfort in knowing that we have one of, if not the finest and most prepared police departments and emergency response teams in the state."
In addition to the mass care unit, the township's Community Emergency Response Team recently received a Specialized Disaster Response Utility Trailer. The $9,830 trailer is equipped with a generator, basic medical supplies, lighting equipment, tools, tents and evacuation support equipment.
"The addition of these two pieces of equipment enhances Brick Township’s and it’s first responders’ ability to respond to large scale incidents, while protecting our residents and our infrastructure during and after a mass care emergency," said Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist.
The CERT team, which trains citizen members to be able to help respond in their communities during disasters, is looking for new members. CERT members are trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
Those interested in joining are encouraged to call 732-262-1167.
Joseph Woolston Brick
9:44 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Great addition to the town. It's a piece of equipment one hope never has to be used but if and when, it's here and ready!
GMC 00069
5:33 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
This Vehicle has no transport capabitly, Transport is the key, not staying and playing on scene. Ambulances can transport numerous people at once depending on the injuries so having more ambulances on scene is more efficetive than having a non transporting unit there.
Daniel Nee
9:12 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I think the idea is to triage and treat patients in a mass casualty incident, before you could muster, say, 100 ambulances to one specific location all at once. It would also be used in a situation where you may have to evacuate a hospital, nursing home or other facility.
Theresa
9:51 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I think this would actually benefit a mass causality situation. After listen to about 15 minutes worth of The fire department dispatch during the Colorado shooting, it seemed as if there was a lot of confusion/time spent on deciding which rig should treat who and when. This unit would probably alleviate some of the confusion in thy they'd be able to treat the "minimally" injured patients and the ambulances would be able to transport the more critically injured first. Even though I know minimal when it comes to EMS and that sort of thing, this is definitely an ease-settling purchase.
darrell
9:01 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Another plus for Brick under Mayor Acropolis. Keep up the good work.
Glenn
9:37 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Really, was there another plus somewhere that I missed?
Was it my 54% increase in taxes over the past 3 yrs, or more recently dumping more and more money into Traders Cove? Oh, I forgot, closing Glenwood ramp will make up the money with the dramatic increases in ramp fees.
By the way, when the State DEP makes the town take the guard rail down due to the lack of permits, who pays for the erection (sic) and removal? Guess that would be us taxpayers. Oh yeah Darrell, another plus!
squanto274
9:22 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I saw that it was from a state awarded grant, but did that cover the whole cost? Did the taxpayers have to pony up any funds for this?
Brick
9:31 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Another plus? What rock do you live under?
KC
1:18 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
did i miss the other plus? what has he done for the town besides threaten one of the two services we get for our tax monies - public works. The public works works, but do the politicos work? Methinks not.
darrell
12:49 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
The one next door to yours.
GMC 00069
10:39 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I understand the uses for it, but to evacuate a hospital or nursing home or something. transport vehicles are needed... along with man power.. not something that's going to sit there and be a staging vehicle.
knwtTRUEsry
10:45 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
WOW nothing like scaring the public!!!
Yeah! That's the ticket!
10:53 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
If the economy keeps going the way it is, every town in America will need one of these rescue vehicles.
KC
1:19 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Well then it is good we have one. Right?
Sam
7:20 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
This should be a county level operation so that the cost would be shared. Plus the men and women assigned to the unit will more likely to get more use in emergency situations, keeping their skill proficient and moral high, instead of just training drills. This vehicle will be sitting idle collecting dust next to the two swat vehicles. Another waste of taxpayers money and poor planning by a look at what I've done for you mayor.
mike
10:31 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
This truck is owned by the State. The state paid for it all and maintains it as well. The town doesnt pay a penny for it. Brick was choosen to house the rig because the State wanted a mass care unit down this way. They already got 5 others throughout the state
Waste of Tax Payers Money
4:40 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
If this is a state vehicle, is the state paying for fuel,registration,insurance etc. This is another scam that us Brick Tax Payers will pay. You must work for the town to give BS info that we need this Piss of Sh-t. We need equipment that can transfer multi victims at a crash scene. Why should this be parked in Brick and not in Tom's River our COUNTY Seat.This way all of Ocean County can Benefit from this. This vehicle is just loaded with equipment. Great a overrated Box Truck with lights. What a Total waste of Tax Payer's Money.
mike
6:31 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Yes the state pays for it. Toms River didnt get it because I heard there with some problems within Toms River. It was either goin to Brick or Toms River thats it
darrell
12:43 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
I have lived in Brick for over 50 years , how long have you lived here? I have seen many improvements over the years. You jumped to conclusions in 50 years we have grown. If you don't like it, why live here and complain, I'd get out and move to something better. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean we don't. Everyone has their own likings. I love Ocean Cnty Park and Traders Cove. I use it. So, maybe you don't , it's worth every penny to me. Thanks for supporting it.
Yeah! That's the ticket!
4:30 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Darrell, if everyone who didnt like the town, or the way Steve runs the town, moved out, there wouldnt be many people left here to pay for Steves relatives paychecks. You love Ocean County Park and Traders Cove? The park is a dump compared to what it used to be and so is Traitors Cove. What is to love about either place? I think you love Steve and the republicans. Thats what I think. steve will be out of office soon enough.
darrell
5:09 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
People will always move to Brick from North Jersey, as they have the last 50 plus years. No Problem. Traitors Cove is not even finished yet. I meant the Oc. Cnty Pk. nexted to Traitors Cove. It has a nice boardwalk, nice friendly boat people and great crabbing. Families bring their children there to fish,etc. Bathrooms are clean. Whatever. Who do you love?
KC
7:18 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
the only thing to disagree with is "soon enough:. It can't be too soon!
KC
7:18 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
the only thing to disagree with is "soon enough":. It can't be too soon!
Sam
4:04 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I would like to know how long will the state support this project and who pays for the training?? Some of these projects have a limit on them and then it gets thrown on the town.