Westchester Legislators Jenkins and Harckham Host Meeting with International Multi-Casualty Expert

Instructional Visit Benefits Area First Responders, Aids Emergency Preparedness

White Plains, NY – Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) and BOL Majority Leader Pete Harckham (D-North Salem) hosted a special meeting today for emergency first responders with Guy Caspi, the chief multi-casualty incident instructor and director of hazmat exercises for Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s ambulance, disaster relief and blood-services organization.

Caspi, who has visited several cities around the United States and presented instructional information over the last two weeks, met with area first responders from all over the county, including police and fire commissioners, EMT and hospital emergency personnel, and representatives from the MTA, in the BOL Conference Room.

The event gave area first responders from police and fire departments, as well EMT units and ambulance corps, an opportunity to hear from Caspi about MDA protocols and his work, which includes development of training programs and educational drills to prepare the necessary responses to multi-casualty incidents and improve on-scene coordination and cooperation.

Because of the sheer number of rocket attacks, suicide bombers and other acts of terrorism that Israel has endured, MDA has emerged as the world’s most experienced paramedic organization in responding to multi-casualty incidents.

“Today’s instructional visit with Guy Caspi will provide far-reaching benefits to our first responders in terms of emergency preparedness,” said Jenkins. “His professional knowledge and experience are unmatched, and I’m grateful he was able to offer us his insights and advice.”

Caspi began his career at Magen David Adom as a youth volunteer in 1979. He’s been an EMT since 1986, a paramedic since 1995, and has been in his current position at MDA since 1999. He additionally serves as a faculty member for the paramedics program at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Both Jenkins and Harckham were introduced to Caspi and his work at MDA during their respective visits to Israel in 2011 and 2012.

“Protecting public safety is the number one priority of government,” said Harckham. “This international exchange allows for an important dialogue where first responders from the United States and Israel can share ideas and best practices.”

MDA, a global pioneer in mass-casualty response stemming from years of dealing with terrorism and rocket attacks, often sends officials abroad to share expertise and best practices. In April, Boston EMTs used tactics learned from MDA in responding to the Boston Marathon terror attack.

“It doesn’t matter whether the source is terrorism or roadside car accidents, we need to be better prepared for mass-casualty scenarios in Westchester County,” said Haina Just-Michael, chair of

American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) in Westchester County, who helped organize the event.

Adam Ochs, Director of Emergency Management of Lewisboro and on the Westchester County EMS Advisory Board,  found the opportunity to hear from someone who dealt with these type of experiences hands-on valuable, pointing out the Magen David Adom “perspective is a real-time, reality based experienced rather than theory.”

Lt. Cesar Perez of the Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corp added, “We need to do a lot more here in Westchester to prevent injuries of this sort and train our people to be prepared. Training is the essential key I got out today.  While most people never see this and hopefully never will see it in their lifetime, but being so close to New York City, it’s there as a threat.”

“No matter where in the world we’re from, the instinct to save lives is universal, so it’s an honor to share MDA’s knowledge with Westchester County’s first-responders,” said Caspi.