05/28/2026
Last Wednesday night, Spring Hill EMS held an extrication drill simulating a rolled over school bus containing 20 patients. The training began with the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office setting up their Field Communications Unit and dispatching the call, followed by the Suffern Fire Department, Hillburn Fire Department, Spring Hill EMS, and New City EMS responding to the scene.
The fire departments then worked together with EMS crews to safely remove patients from the school bus. Patients were subsequently assessed, triaged, and treated by Spring Hill EMS and New City EMS before being transported to the appropriate hospitals.
Good Samaritan Hospital played a vital role in this drill and involved their trauma and emergency room teams in the exercise. Patients transported to Good Samaritan were registered, assigned rooms, and treated by ER providers as though they were real patients. Our crews had the opportunity to practice patient handoff reports and observe the ER staff in action.
This training was led by our Lieutenant of Training, Rebecca Finney, whose hard work and dedication helped make this complex exercise possible. We would also like to thank all of the role players who volunteered their time to help create a realistic training environment for everyone involved.
A sincere thank you to Arthur Ditzel from Good Samaritan Hospital for facilitating this drill, as well as all other parties involved. It was an invaluable experience, and we look forward to continuing to grow and train together.
#911
