6/13 App - Multi-Agency Drill Tests Hazmat and Terrorism Skills in NJ

On April 6, the Newark, NJ, Fire Department’s Special Operations Division joined with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to host a one day drill for emergency responders.

Firefighters from Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Union and Middlesex counties participated in the drill, along with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Jersey Army National Guard, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police, NJ Transit Police, the Newark Police Department, the Jersey City Police Department, and the Yonkers, NY, Fire Department participated in the drill.

The exercise was prepared by the Newark Fire Department’s Special Operations Division, which created a scenario in which a major hurricane damaged a sewage treatment plant. While emergency responders addressed the “damage” and rescued “trapped workers,” the plant suffered a simulated terrorist attack. 

The next phase of the training began on April 15 and ran through April 18. With the Newark Fire Department Special Operations Division hosting the Sixth Annual Metro Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Strike Team exercises.

On April 16, the responders were faced with a simulation of an explosion at a water treatment plant that turned out to be a terrorist attack.

More than 400 firefighters and emergency responders from 10 fire departments across New Jersey along the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department participated in this drill.

The responders rescued trapped and injured “workers,” which required breaching walls, removing obstacles, shutting off steam pipes, crawling through tunnels and rendering safe a simulated terrorist explosive device.

By training together prior to a major incident, all components of the emergency response community gained valuable knowledge of not only their operations, but of the operations of those who will be responding alongside them.

It once again enforces the analogy that “a good team does not meet in the huddle.” The many hours of practice provided these responders with the needed training so when the real event does happen they will be well prepared for it.