Vernon police test all-terrain rescue capability

BY CHRIS WYMAN
VERNON — At just over 70 square miles, it's no secret that Vernon Township is a pretty big place and more than 40 percent of the township is a combination of open space, the Newark Watershed and state and federal park land. From the Wawayanda State Park escarpment towering above and east of Rt. 94 near the New York State line to the swamps and floor plains off the Appalachian Trail to the west, there are many areas of the township that are not easily accessible in the event of an emergency involving an injured hiker or camper or other mishap.

Enter the Vernon Township Police Department’s John Deere Gator, Model XUV 625i Ultimate Terrain Vehicle.

Through a grant applied for by Sussex County Sheriff’s Department, Vernon’s Gator arrived last year and was soon put to the test when it was used to rescue an injured male hiker with a head injury off the Appalachian Trail. The grant covered about $11,000 of the cost of the Gator.

As recently as two weeks ago on Saturday, May 4, the Gator was also used to rescue two injured adults from the Jeep rollover that occurred on the Tennessee Gas Pipeline high above Minerals Resort. During both rescue missions Vernon Police Department Sergeant Daniel Young, who has become an expert on the vehicle and its capabilities, drove the Gator.

According to Young, the Gator was specially equipped to meet the demands of the township’s diverse terrain. “It's equipped with a Medlite Transport Bed...two spotlights and red emergency lights,” said Young. Mounted on the rear bed of the vehicle, the Medlite Transport Bed seats one passenger and one patient and includes a Stokes litter rescue basket.

According to Young, the Gator came fully equipped with a trailer to bring it wherever it is needed, but the Vernon DPW installed the additional lighting that the police department requested.

Last Monday, May 6, Young brought about 50 firefighters and EMS personnel into Wawayanda State Park to conduct simulated emergency exercises with the equipment. The first exercise was for a fallen mountain bike rider with a compound fracture of his leg. The second exercise was for a diabetic emergency, the third was for a fall victim and the fourth was for a snakebite victim.

“The John Deere Gator is an excellent tool to assist our emergency services when they encounter difficult and hard to reach places," said Vernon Police Chief Roy Wherry. "It has proven itself not only as a rescue tool, but also as a way to get valuable resources into and out of scenes.”

As an example, Wherry noted that the police department could now expedite carrying paramedics and EMTs into a scene that otherwise would have forced rescuers to walk in by foot. “Additionally, we can also carry out injured persons in a faster, safer, and more secure manner,” Wherry added.

So far the Vernon Police Department has trained with the Pochuck Fire Department, Highland Lakes Fire Department, Glenwood Pochuck Ambulance Corps, and the Vernon Township Ambulance Squad.

“The training sessions were a great success, not only in coming together and working as a team, but it also showed the excellent working relationship each agency has with each other, and the pride of our volunteers in our community,” said Wherry.

Gator can be used by multiple municipalities

Hilary Manser, Secretary to Sheriff Mike Strada, said an agreement has been reached that allows other municipalities to use equipment purchased with the county grant. “Should the need arise, [the Gator], in addition to similar equipment which has been purchased through the Homeland Security Grant Program, can be utilized in other municipalities,” said Manser.

“We have a mutual aid agreement with every municipality in the county. That includes police, fire, and EMS,” said Vernon police sergeant Young.