Dix Hills Practices 'Active Shooter' Drill

Information provided by Steve Silverman

The Dix Hills Fire Department participated in an active-shooter drill Sunday Five Towns College.

The  scenario involved an active shooting n the building's cafeteria, resulting in 10 victims with multiple gunshot wounds and a fire set off by the shooter. 

Fire crews entered the building after the scene was deemed safe by police, and found heavy smoke in the area. The simulated fire was extinguished, and the victims were removed from the building by firefighters to a safe area outside.

The shooting victims were then evaluated and triaged by Dix Hills Rescue Squad personnel. 

About 65 firefighters and rescue squad volunteers participated, with the victims portrayed by Dix Hills junior firefighters. 

The drill was held under the command of Dix Hills Fire Chief Tom Magno, with the support of Assistant Chiefs Robert Fling and Tom Napolitano. Magno, said, "This proved to be a valuable training exercise in light of past incidents around the country, but we hope to never experience it first hand. Our EMS and firefighters worked well together in getting the victims quickly removed to a safe area to receive medical care in a professional and efficient manner."