CAPE MAY – Nov. 5, 2016 the Cape May County Regional Urban Search Team (R.U.S.T) conducted their year-end drill at the United State Coast Guard base in Cape May.
The Cape May County R.U.S.T. is a highly trained and equipped team who specializes in Structural Collapse, Confined Space, Open Water, Surface Ice and High-angle Rope Rescue incidents throughout the county.
The team was formed in 2008 and its members consist of firefighters from various departments throughout the county including Wildwood City, Ocean City, Cape May City, USCG, Avalon and Marmora Fire Departments. In 2015 the team’s cache of equipment was issued to the Wildwood City and Ocean City Fire Departments to maintain on their rescue vehicles and insure maintenance, accountability and an immediate response to these types of incidents when they occur.
The drill simulated a gas explosion with a building collapse and multiple victims trapped. Firefighters were required to breach masonry walls, floors and ceilings, shore structure members, utilize torches to cut through steel plates to then locate, package and remove the victims found.
Along with the departments listed above other agencies operating in the exercise were the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Cape May County CBRNE/Dept. of Health, Atlantic Care Paramedics and the Rio Grande Rescue Squad. The teams physician, Doctor Kenneth Lavelle, was also present for the training.
