An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 26, 2019

NY National Guard hosts mass fatality response workshop

By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Campbell New York National Guard

LATHAM, N.Y. – Emergency responders from across New York attended a workshop hosted by the New York National Guard to increase preparedness for mass fatality events.

The Nov. 22 training was coordinated by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The 100 attendees came from the New York State Police, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and local county emergency responders, among others. The day-long workshop focused on the latest issues and trends associated with mass fatality incidents.

“We’re talking about mass fatalities and how to plan for them,” said Mike Hartzel, the director of the Schoharie County Office of Emergency Services, and a retired New York Army National Guard sergeant major. “Especially in today’s environment, where we have incidents, like in Schoharie County, we had the limo accident that took 20 lives.”

On Oct. 6, 2018, a stretch limousine carrying 18 people ran through an intersection at the base of a hill, hit two people in the parking lot of a general store north of the village of Schoharie and plunged into a ravine. All 20 people died, and Hartzel and other first responders in the rural village were coping with a mass casualty.

Transportation accidents such as the limo crash, as well as active shooter events and natural disasters, routinely bring these agencies together to enhance their readiness to respond, Hartzel explained.

Since 2000, there have been more than 160 incidents in New York where there were 10 or more fatalities. Organizations such as the New York National Guard are always ready to help, and Hartzel said that this requires people in positions who know what resources can be requested from what agency.

“Looking at how we do planning, what can we benefit from, what were lessons learned, and what we can do better,” Hartzel said. “As emergency services, first responders and Guardsmen, we have to be prepared so when we respond to these we know who the key players are and what resources are available.”

One of the points made during the workshop was that the number of agencies that respond to an incident varies depending on what resources are needed at the scene. Each agency can bring unique resources to an incident that another may not have.

“In the Schoharie County limo accident, one of the biggest things we needed was the mass fatality trailer that the Department of Health has,” Hartzel said. “We have 20 victims, how do we transport them? You have to know to think about that. You need to have those resources.”

Considering what resources you might need was an area of emphasis of the workshop, Hartzel said.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services had a specialized tent called a Mass Fatality Portable Operations Center set up at the workshop as an example of a state resource that can be requested.

First responders can request state assets such as the New York National Guard quickly and at no cost, explained Lt. Col. Michael Tagliafierro, the New York National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear regional planner. Federal assets may come at a cost and usually cannot be deployed as quickly, he added.

“We want to be ready to support our first responders and emergency management personnel,” Tagliafierro said. “As the New York National Guard, what we can bring to the table is specialized facilities, equipment specially trained personnel.”

“One of the conferences I did here several years ago, I talked about the importance of relationships and the importance of liaison officers,” said Hartzel. “So when the county has an emergency like Hurricane Irene, or something of that magnitude, you need that person who can tell you what resources are available.”

As a retired command sergeant major in the New York Army National Guard, Hartzel knows what he can request from the Guard and has come to learn what else can be provided through workshops such as this. In the end, it provides a big payoff, he said.

“It stops chaos,” Hartzel said. “We’re ready. We get more ready every day.”

 

 

Related Articles
Civic leaders and newly commissioned U.S. Air Force pilot trainees gather with the 168th Wing KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew following an aerial refueling mission during Red Flag-Alaska 25-2, June 24, 2025. The event provided participants with a unique opportunity to witness the complex coordination and precision required for refueling U.S. and allied aircraft in flight. This experience highlighted the critical role the 168th Wing plays in sustaining readiness and strengthening defense capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Civic Leaders Fly With Alaska Air Guard During Red Flag Alaska 25-2
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | July 3, 2025
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing hosted a civic leader flight June 24 that offered local leaders an opportunity to view an aerial refueling mission over the Joint Pacific Alaska...

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Command Surgeon and staff, along with the Ohio National Guard, visit medical students and doctors at the American Corner prior to attending the Platinum Wolf 25 Distinguished Visitor day in Bujanovac, Serbia, June 26, 2025. PW25 is an exercise focused on regional stability, partnership, and interoperability between the U.S., regional forces, and the Serbian Armed Forces, marking the first time Stamp and his staff attended in support of the medical teams that participated in the exercise.
Ohio Guard Attends Exercise Platinum Wolf in Serbia
By 1st Lt. Kaseyann Cornwall, | July 3, 2025
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Several high-ranking officials from U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, or USAFE-AFAFRICA, and the Ohio National Guard participated in the June 26 Distinguished Visitor day at Exercise...

A UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation, 96th Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard conducts water bucket training with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, June 30, 2025, near Puyallup, Wash.
Washington Army Guard Trains in Water Bucket Operations
By Joseph Siemandel, | July 2, 2025
PUYALLUP, Wash. - To prepare for wildfire season, aviation crews from the Washington Army National Guard have been working to become certified in water bucket operations, completing as many repetitions as possible while...