This past weekend, when Pope Francis came to visit the region, members of Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad where part of the team providing area EMS and management coverage. For the past several months, EMS leadership from across New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania have been meeting to discuss the many events planned by the Pontiff's visit, to keep the public, visitors and staff safe and secure.
On Friday September 25, 2015, members of CFARS deployed as part of a Statewide team organized by the New Jersey EMS Task Force, to the city of Camden, where large masses of spectators where expected to gather and make the pilgrimage across the closed Benjamin Franklin Bridge. As part of that team, Deputy Chief Buchanan, who is the NJEMSTF's State Staging Officer, deployed to a regional staging location in Deptford, NJ, to help manage incoming EMS units from across the State. Meanwhile, EMT Michael Petruzzellis was sent to the State's EMS Multi-Agency Coordination Center in Camden, where he handled the day shift for 3 days, later joined by DC Buchanan who held position as the MACS Module Manager for the team.
On Friday September 25, 2015, members of CFARS deployed as part of a Statewide team organized by the New Jersey EMS Task Force, to the city of Camden, where large masses of spectators where expected to gather and make the pilgrimage across the closed Benjamin Franklin Bridge. As part of that team, Deputy Chief Buchanan, who is the NJEMSTF's State Staging Officer, deployed to a regional staging location in Deptford, NJ, to help manage incoming EMS units from across the State. Meanwhile, EMT Michael Petruzzellis was sent to the State's EMS Multi-Agency Coordination Center in Camden, where he handled the day shift for 3 days, later joined by DC Buchanan who held position as the MACS Module Manager for the team.
EMTs Adam Nordmeyer and Logan Raffery of the Squad deployed our "mini-Ambulance", known as ASAP14, to help provide ALS coverage within the Secure zone along the Camden waterfront. They partnered with Paramedics from Virtua Health System, and worked around the clock in 12-hour shifts providing local treatment and transport services to an established Aide station, as well as on the closed span of the Ben Franklin Bridge during the pilgrimage.
On Saturday, BLS4551 was sent as part of an Ambulance Task Force, made up of 8 BLS Ambulances and 2 ALS Ambulances, to the City of Philadelphia after a brief stop in both Deptford and Camden to complete check in. Staffed by EMTs Kevin McAvenia and Michelle Harrison, this crew was on hand along the parade route in Philly, and had a front row seat to see the passing Pope during one of this parades that afternoon. This was repeated on Sunday for 12 hours, this time staffed by EMTs Brandon Murphy and Andrew Schneier.
In total, 8 members, 3 vehicles and 288 hours where spent on this deployment. Great job to all, and luckily, the services set up for the masses where not put into use, and a very safe and enjoyable weekend was held by all in attendance.
We would like to thank the EMS Coordinator at Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety, the leadership of the New Jersey EMS Task Force, University Hospital-Camden Division, the City of Philadelphia Fire-EMS, EHS Federation Inc, the New Jersey State Police Emergency Management Division and the US Secret Service for all allowing our organization to participate in this truly historic event.
On Saturday, BLS4551 was sent as part of an Ambulance Task Force, made up of 8 BLS Ambulances and 2 ALS Ambulances, to the City of Philadelphia after a brief stop in both Deptford and Camden to complete check in. Staffed by EMTs Kevin McAvenia and Michelle Harrison, this crew was on hand along the parade route in Philly, and had a front row seat to see the passing Pope during one of this parades that afternoon. This was repeated on Sunday for 12 hours, this time staffed by EMTs Brandon Murphy and Andrew Schneier.
In total, 8 members, 3 vehicles and 288 hours where spent on this deployment. Great job to all, and luckily, the services set up for the masses where not put into use, and a very safe and enjoyable weekend was held by all in attendance.
We would like to thank the EMS Coordinator at Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety, the leadership of the New Jersey EMS Task Force, University Hospital-Camden Division, the City of Philadelphia Fire-EMS, EHS Federation Inc, the New Jersey State Police Emergency Management Division and the US Secret Service for all allowing our organization to participate in this truly historic event.
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