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DISASTER RESPONSE is always on our radar. So we're always prepared—for anything—especially something like this, where we had several days of notice." Cortacans says about nine days prior to the storm, National Weather Service computer models showed a hurricane hitting New Jersey. "Usually when you go out in time these computer models are not necessarily that accurate, but this model nailed it. Even six, seven days prior Sandy was nothing but a bunch of clouds; it wasn't even a storm or anything. The National Weather Service's ability to accurately forecast one of the biggest disasters in the nation's history— 3 REASONS MAC'S AMBULANCE LIFTS ARE SUPERIOR FOR YOUR STAFF AND YOUR VEHICLES Reduce Injury. Extend Longevity. It's tragic when you lose a valuable employee with years or decades of field experience. Mac's Ambulance Lifts allow your staff to safely do their jobs, without injuring themselves. Out of the Way. Fast Set Up. Since storage is under your vehicles, you get full use of space inside your ambulance for life-saving equipment and supplies. Plus there are no hitches to avoid, eliminating obstacles and further reducing injuries. And one person can set up the lift gate in about 60 seconds. Easy Cleaning. Sterile Environment. You save time and create a cleaner, more sterile environment when you don't have to work around a bulky ramp. Additionally, in inclement weather, lift gates keep the dirt, germs and contaminants outside your ambulance. The icing on the cake is that Mac's Lift Gates can be remounted, and they're no more expensive than traditional, outdated ramp technology. Call to see how you can benefit. Scan and Experience: 800.795.6227 www.MacsLiftGate.com For More Information Circle 30 on Reader Service Card 32 MARCH 2013 | EMSWORLD.com so far in advance—was, like the storm, unprecedented. They deserve some credit for that." As a state, New Jersey also has a specific plan for EMS to follow at the local, county and state level when a tropical storm or a hurricane has the potential to impact the region, called the Tropical Storm/Hurricane Management Plan for EMS. Established in 2008, the plan has already been implemented several times, notably when Hurricane Irene struck the region in 2011. The plan, which lists a host of standard operating procedures for response during tropical storms and hurricanes, has been refined each time it's been used, to the point that it's pretty much foolproof. In the four to five days prior to Sandy hitting the region on October 29, the New Jersey EMS Task Force prepared to respond across the state, establishing two regional EMS staging areas, as well as a heli-base for air medical operations. And for just the second time in state history, New Jersey implemented the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), initially requesting 75 ambulances from out of state to come in and assist with healthcare facility evacuations. "We only got 47 ambulances prestorm and they came from Indiana," says Cortacans. "They assisted with facility evacuation and shelter support. After the storm their mission changed to search and rescue, and continuity of operations for devastated locations. There were at least 23 EMS agencies that had major damage to their buildings or ambulances. That's 23 jurisdictions that you need 9-1-1 service for, plus all the other jurisdictions that just had severe damage, extremely high 9-1-1 call volume, etc. Ultimately, a total of 136 out-of-state ambulances, from Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vermont assisted in New Jersey." Terry Clancy, NJ EMS Task Force coordinator, notes an unexpected challenge brought on by the influx of outof-state support was the differences in scope of practice. "That's something you have to consider in the planning process. We had EMT-Intermediates who