Second Revision: 9-24-01

Each Task Force consists of 10 ambulances and 2 Fly cars that will serve as supervisor units. Five ambulances will come from Rensselaer County and five from Saratoga County. Both Fly cars will be provided by Saratoga County agencies.

Corps will plug themselves into the schedule with County EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy. Each agency will be responsible for staffing their ambulances and/or fly cars. Ambulances should be staffed with at least 3 providers but not more than 6 . NEW: Only currently certified NYS EMT’s or AEMT’s will be allowed through security checkpoints. Saratoga County must submit a personnel roster prior to the Task Force leaving for NYC (see Task Force Crew List). Due to the extremely dusty environment, EMS providers with a cardiac history, asthma, or lung disease are not eligible to serve on the Task Force.

Shifts Shifts begin in New York City at midnight of the day you are scheduled. (ie: Saturday shift would need to be in NYC at 23:59 on Sat.) You can expect to assemble and leave Saratoga County at about 6:00 pm (18:00) on the day you are scheduled. You will leave NYC at midnight the following day, and can expect to return to the County between by 4:00 am. Example: You are on for Saturday. You would likely leave your station about 6 pm on Saturday, arrive in NYC at midnight, work until midnight Sunday, and arrive back home at 4:00 am on Monday. Activation will be done by EMS Dispatch who will tone out the agencies assigned to cover that shift announcing, “Task Force members are requested to assemble for response to assist New York City.” Please understand that being on call does not mean you will be asked to respond.

The units from Saratoga County will meet at the Clifton Park Center Mall near the Dunkin Donuts at Exit 9 of the Northway and complete a personnel roster. EMS Dispatch will give you the time for this meeting when you call for your run number. The Saratoga County Task Force will then rendezvous with the Rensselaer County units at the tractor trailer station just before the Thruway tolls booths at Exit 2W off the Northway (make sure not to go through the toll booths). Communications between Rensselaer and Saratoga County units will be on 155.715 MHz.

What to Bring

Each person should be self-sustaining for 24 hours. Brings some food, hygiene items, medications, and blankets or a sleeping bag. It is important not to overload the ambulance with personal items, but equally necessary to be prepared in case food is not available. Fuel should be available at the destination, but this cannot be certain. You will need funds for tolls, fuel, additional food and beverages, as well as any other expenses. ALS providers will continue to work under REMO protocols. Only ambulances scheduled (see Task Force Schedule) will be permitted into NYC. Personnel must carry a valid NYS EMT Card and positive photo identification including a driver’s license at all times. Due to the hazardous (dust) environment, a plentiful supply of face masks is required. You may use HEPA masks, but these are not essential; simple face masks will do fine.

Records to keep

This is a federally declared incident; hence reimbursement will be available to New York City through FEMA. Agencies will be able to bill New York City for certain expenses. These include the salaries of any paid EMS providers and an hourly expense for operation of each ambulance and fly car. Mileage is not reimbursable. Other expenses such as meals may possibly be reimbursed. Each Corps should keep careful records of all expenses. It is important to carefully record volunteer hours as well as paid staff hours as these can be used by New York City to offset their 12% share of the total expenses.

How you know where to go

Mike McEvoy will provide the Task Force with the location to which you have been assigned. If you wish to leave a contact number for family to reach you in case of a family emergency, you may have them call EMS Dispatch at 885-5522. Your Task Force Leaders will check in with EMS Dispatch periodically.