The Eaton’s Neck Fire Department and the Suffolk County Police Department’s Aviation Section hosted a joint drill Saturday on medical evacuations at the Hobart Beach parking lot.
Members from the Northport, Centerport, Greenlawn, Dix Hills, Cold Spring Harbor Halesite Huntington Manor Fire Departments joined with Suffolk County Police Department’s 2nd Precinct and the Asharoken Police Department.
The drill worked on landing zone and medical assessment procedures and practicing patient transfer between the ambulance and the helicopter. Medevacs are used in severe cases that require immediate medical attention when ground transportation will take too long or special care is needed that is not available at local hospitals.
Chief John Pokorny of the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department said the exercise was an “excellent drill and well-coordinated between the Suffolk PD Aviation Section and our local fire departments. Out here on the Neck it can be a long ride to a hospital and having the SCPD Aviation Section available to expedite patient care can be a life-or-death difference.”
“During all emergencies, seconds matter, which is why training for these responses is so
critical,” Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring said. “Exercises like this one are beneficial to familiarize fire departments with the operations of our police helicopters to ensure seamless transports and successful outcomes during dire situations.”
Photos by Lt. David Schaefer-Walker
