Health & Fitness
Westchester Legislators Jenkins and Harckham To Host Meeting for First Responders With Israeli Multi-Casualty Expert
White Plains, NY – Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) and BOL Majority Leader Pete Harckham will host a special meeting 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, on Thursday, August 29 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM.
The event, which is being co-sponsored by American Friends of Magen David Adom, MDA’s U.S.-based affiliate, will give 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 in preparation for the necessary responses to multi-casualty incidents, and to 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.
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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. Additionally, Caspi 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.
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“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.”
Seating at the meeting with Caspi is limited and not open to the public. First responders interested in attending should email an RSVP to Wendy Wild at wendyw@westchesterlegislators.com.
