The Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad responded to 3 separate fire scenes within an 18 hour period Tuesday night 6/10 into Wednesday afternoon 6/11. The Squad recently placed into service a new Special Operations trailer equipped specifically for to support both mass casualty incidents as well as on scene rehabilitation of firefighters, hazardous materials teams and other emergency responders.

On Tuesday night at approximately 10:00 PM, the Union County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) requested an ambulance in Kenilworth at the scene of a structure fire. The Summit Squad responded along with ambulance crews from several other towns to provide treatment and transport in the event injuries occurred. Over 20 firefighters were involved, but fortunately no injuries.

Another request for an ambulance was issued on Wednesday morning at 6:30 for response to the scene of a large warehouse fire in Hillside. This request was also from the Union County OEM. This was a much larger incident with over 80 firefighters on scene. No injuries were reported, but numerous firefighters visiting the rehab area set up by area first aid squads.

The third response was on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 12:30. The Squad responded with the Special Operation trailer into Millburn for a house fire at the request of the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad. This was another large event, with several fire companies on scene. The Squad performed rehab operations at the scene, treating over 20 firefighters.

Squad Captain Kari Phair stated, "The special operations trailer was created with just this purpose in mind. We reviewed the protocols for the on-scene rehabilitation of firefighters, developed training and procedures for responding Squad members to follow, and added the necessary equipment and supplies to the trailer." The Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad is 1 of just 4 agencies in Union County with this capability and is part of a special fire scene task force that can be activated for major fires.

For additional information on this program, Ms. Phair can be reached via email at captain@summitems.org. The Squad is always looking for new volunteers and provides all needed training and equipment. For more information, please visit the Squad’s web site at www.summitems.org, or call 908-277-9479.