Emergency response vehicle unveiled in Suffolk

Suffolk County now owns a new emergency response vehicle, able to assist the injured during a catastrophe.

The Major Response Emergency Vehicle, a state-of-the-art 42-foot unit able to accommodate up to 24 injured people, was showcased Wednesday by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Fire Rescue and Emergency Service Commissioner Joe Williams  at the County Fire Academy in Yaphank.

“This vehicle truly underscores a regional approach to dealing with significant weather events and emergencies,” Bellone said. “It’s the type of vehicle first responders hope they will rarely have to activate, but having the new Major Emergency Response Vehicle on hand for large-scale emergencies is a tremendous benefit to the residents of Suffolk County.”

Suffolk County is the only place in the state other than New York City to have such a vehicle, officials said. It is designed to provide support during mass casualty incidents, medical evacuations, on-site triage, firefighter and EMS rehabilitation, and medical support for long-term emergency incidents.

The vehicle, which cost $380,000, was paid for through a federal grant provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

The unit also can be sent to other areas in need of aid and has radio frequencies that can communicate universally with other rescue personnel.

The vehicle is equipped with stretchers to house patients for transport and contains monitoring equipment, metered oxygen and rehab supplies. It also includes an electrical supply for necessary medical equipment. The inside is climate controlled.

“This bus will be a huge resource across the region when it comes to providing emergency services,” Williams said. “It can be activated during evacuations, bus, train or ferry accidents, and weather-related emergencies when there is a need to treat people at the scene or transport them to hospitals.”