A surprise mass casualty incident exercise, arranged in cooperation with the Old Forge Ambulance Squad and Herkimer County Emergency Services, was held on the grounds of Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge on Saturday morning, September 20th.
The exercise, coordinated by local Emergency Medical Technician and EMS educator Dave Berkstresser, involved a simulated shooting and detonation of an explosive device at the water park.
During the exercise, multiple volunteer “victims” were scattered about the grounds while observers recorded response times, inter-agency communications, treatment modalities, and a post-exercise debriefing.
Joining in the effort were personnel from the Old Forge Ambulance and Fire Department, NY State Police, Herkimer County Sheriff and Emergency Services, Homeland Security and Water Safari.
Ambulance squads from Raquette Lake, Inlet, Big Moose, Otter Lake, Boonville and Port Leyden were also on-site, as well as a LifeNet helicopter.
Rural Metro Ambulance provided backup service to cover the area in case a real emergency occurred.
While the commotion accompanying the drill was startling to some residents, Berkstresser said word of the exercise was kept low key to maintain realism for the responders.