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Firemen, EMT’s take proactive approach in protecting themselves at mass casualty scenes

Clad in their tactical gear, East Liverpool firefighters Aaron Jones (left) and Mike Dubray (right) work on victim Derek Sullivan during an office shooting scenario held for training purposes Friday morning at the city’s First Nazarene Church. As part of this program, the city has spent approximately $12,000 in grant funds on eight sets of ballistic armor for its fire department, and they hope funding becomes available so they can equip all their personnel with the capability. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

EAST LIVERPOOL –In recent years, firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians often find themselves on the front line of danger when responding to incidents such as mass casualty to render aid.

Some may theorize that it couldn’t happen here, but East Liverpool Fire Chief Bill Jones rather would be safe than sorry. Just in the past year, city safety officials were dispatched across state lines to Hancock County after a gunman was accused of injuring three people at three different crime scenes countywide in August.

Almost two years ago, a gunman entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, where they were holding worship services, and opened fire while allegedly shouting anti-Semitic slurs, killing 11 and wounding six people.

Typically, the standard procedure in the past was for law enforcement to enter such a scene first, neutralizing the assailant and deeming the area as safe before EMS personnel would enter the area to triage the victims and begin treatment. However, Chief Jones said studies found that some victims perished due to the lack of simple and prompt medical intervention.

“Our East Liverpool firefighters/EMTs now will have the training and equipment to enter the building or incident area right behind the law enforcement officers, as they are attempting to neutralize the shooter,” Chief Jones explained. “Our (staff) will be able to begin treatment on victims in this ‘Hot Zone.’ By having this training and equipment and using this Tactical EMS concept, we will save valuable time and hopefully increase the survival rate of victims.”

Jones said that all 16 firefighters/EMTs participated in the tactical EMS training held Wednesday through Friday, and the department currently has eight sets of ballistic armor secured thanks to grant funding. He hopes funding will become available to purchase eight more sets in the future, so each staff is equipped accordingly.

The ballistic armor chest protection usually costs between $1,200 and $1,500 a set, he added.

He concluded this training (we completed) has proven to work in other areas, such as Canfield and Boardman in Mahoning County.

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