Asbury fire and first aid prepare for Bamboozle weekend
WILL SET UP EMERGENCY TREATMENT FACILITY IN BERKELEY HOTEL BALL ROOM
With about two weeks to go, local emergency squads are finalizing plans for Bamboozle weekend.
Asbury Park’s fire department and emergency medical services [EMS] will operate an emergency treatment facility at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel throughout the weekend, according to Fire Chief Kevin Keddy.
“Our hope is that we can treat and release as many patients as possible without transporting them to the hospital,” Keddy said.
All firefighters in Asbury Park are also certified EMS personnel, and some are also licensed by the state as fire prevention specialists.
“I expect a lot of EMS calls, anywhere from serious injuries to twisted ankles and maybe some alcohol- or drug-related emergencies,” Keddy said.
Keddy’s preparation for the event included looking at the EMS calls from previous Bamboozle events. The past few events were held at the Meadowlands. This year, 30,000 to 40,000 attendees are expected each day.
The department will also have an engine company on standby within the festival, as well as “small, very mobile vehicles that are going to be on loan to us and equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid supplies,” Keddy said. Each small vehicle will be manned by a two-person EMS team.
On May 18 through 20, 10 to 12 firefighters will be standing by at the station each day, Keddy said. At the festival, which is taking place on the beach in the northeast part of town, there will be eight firefighters on duty Friday, and 13 on Saturday and Sunday. On a typical day, the department keeps about nine officers on duty, Keddy said.
Outside agencies, including the state’s EMS Task Force, will also assist with the event, Keddy said. The city will not bear the cost of the additional firefighters and outside agencies, as the special events ordinance dictates extra emergency personnel must be paid for by an event’s promoter or organizers, Keddy said.
“There will be easily identifiable EMS staff throughout the event,” Keddy said. “If [attendees] can’t find an EMS person, talk to security, police or lifeguards. They’ll be able to get in touch with us and we’ll come to them.”
In addition to the Berkeley hotel headquarters, there will be two EMS tents in the beach area, Keddy said.
