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Sussex EMS, fire departments get hands-on training

Emergency personnel rescue ‘victims’ from beach and sandbar near Delaware State Seashore Park
Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol members and Sussex County EMS personnel attend to a “victim” injured in the surf at Delaware Seashore State Park. They are (l-r) Kalina Petkova, Sussex EMS; Katlyn Jenson, Millville Fire Co.; Alix Faust, Sussex EMS; beach patrol lifeguards Noah Tuohey and Brooks Pettyjohn; Dave Hammerer, Sussex EMS; and Leah O'Boyle, Sussex EMS. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Ron MacArthur
November 8, 2021

About 200 first responders took part in a first-of-its-kind training exercise Oct. 25 in the area around Bethany Beach. Led by Sussex County Emergency Medical Services with nearly 100 staff taking part, Bethany Beach and Millville fire departments, Lewes with its fire-rescue boat, Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol, Delaware State Police, and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officers participated.

They all took part in three scenarios simulating real-life emergencies, including a surf rescue at Delaware Seashore State Park, two injured victims stranded on a sandbar near Indian River Inlet and a pediatric rescue at the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Co., which served as the central command center. Observers were at each site providing training and evaluating participants.

“We work with everyone we are interacting with, and this helps to build teamwork. These relationships will pay off,” said Glenn Marshall, Sussex County EMS special operations coordinator and public information officer.

 

 

Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol members and Sussex County EMS personnel work to stabilize a “victim” of a surf accident.
With the Indian River Inlet bridge in the background, Sussex County paramedics and state park lifeguards prepare to load a “victim” into the Bethany Beach Fire Co. ambulance.
Millville Fire Co. EMT Katlyn Jenson maintains a breathing bag for a “victim” suffering multiple surf-related injuries.
Continuing care in the Bethany Beach Fire Co. ambulance in the parking lot are (l-r) Michael Knowles and Katlyn Jenson, Millville; and Dave Hammerer and Mike Muray, Sussex EMS.
Sussex County EMS paramedic Brittney McIntire brings a stretcher to paramedics Evan Schwab and Ben Lewis on a sandbar near Indian River Inlet.
Under the watchful eye of Dustin Richards, Sussex County paramedics Evan Schwab and Ben Lewis determine what treatment to administer.
Millville Fire Co. and Sussex County EMS personnel move a “victim” off a sandbar onto a boat for transfer. They are (l-r) Steve Gilbert, Millville; Jerry Carter, Millville; Evan Schwab, Sussex EMS; Ben Lewis, Sussex EMS; and Dustin Richards, Sussex EMS evaluator.
The Lewes Fire Department’s fire and rescue boat takes part in the training. The boat is now certified as an ambulance and can respond to medical emergencies in Delaware Bay.
DNREC officers Cpl. Nate Rust, front, and Cpl. Adam Roarke also take part in the training drills.
The Bethany Beach Fire Co. rescue boat transports Sussex paramedics to a sandbar near Indian River Inlet.
Sussex County officials leave the Delaware Seashore State Park marina dock to observe the training accompanied by Sussex County EMS staff and DNREC officers. They are (l-r) Administrator Todd Lawson, Council President Mike Vincent, Finance Director Gina Jennings and Councilman Doug Hudson.

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