Urban Search and Rescue Team On-Site at WIFD

An Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team is now stationed with the (WIFD) to assist with any possible emergencies as Hurricane Irene moves toward Long Island.

According to Blaise Gemellaro, assistant chief with the WIFD, the search and rescue team on site is prepared to assist in the rescue of local residents that may be trapped by storm surge or other emergencies stemming from the powerful tropical storm.

“Right now, we have eight search and rescue members at the department, along with about 40 West Islip firefighters and EMS personnel,” Gemellaro said.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website, which oversees the US&R, task force members work in four areas of specialization: search, to find victims trapped after a disaster; rescue, which includes safely digging victims out of tons of collapsed concrete and metal; technical, made up of structural specialists who make rescues safe for the rescuers; and medical, which cares for the victims before and after a rescue.

Gemellaro said the decision to house a US&R team in West Islip stemmed from the fact that a handful of WIFD volunteers are also part of the search and rescue team.

As of 9 p.m. Saturday, the assistant chief said it has been a “busy day” with the department having already responded to several calls related to fallen trees.

With and Southside Hospital in Bay Shore evacuated, he noted that WIFD EMS personnel have transported local residents with medial emergencies to various hospitals including Mercy in Rockville Centre and Brookhaven Memorial in Patchogue.

Gemellaro said the decision on what hospital a patient is transported to is made by Medical Control in Yaphank.

He noted that while Good Samaritan and Southside are operating with limited staffs, both are able to handle critical care cases.