Trenton rescue crews trained, experienced, and ready to face hazardous situations

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- Cities and towns are preparing for the very real possibility of Ebola in their communities, and in Trenton those on the front lines of the fight are training to handle whatever hazards come their way.

These are on every single one of our ambulances and fire trucks.

EMTs from Trenton's Emergency Medical Services are getting refresher courses on suiting up in personal protection equipment, preparing for the possibility they might one day be handling a patient with Ebola.

EMT Darryl Wilson demonstrated the suit for us. He says, "Is it something I'm extremely worried about? Of course, I don't want to bring it home to my family. That's why we wear protective clothing like this."

Conscious of the threat, 911 dispatchers are now pre-screening callers asking about symptoms and whether patients have been in or had any contact with people who've been in countries where there are Ebola outbreaks.

Chief Keith Elmer of Trenton Emergency Medical Services says, "If those key points gets hit, the dispatcher will automatically notify the responding units, whether it be the ambulance, paramedic units, the fire department as well."

That way before they even arrive first responders can protect themselves.

EMT Anthony Dell'Aquila tells us, "There's definitely some level of nervousness with all the news reports coming out, hearing about the disease. It does make me nervous coming to work."

But these EMTs say with a heads up from dispatch and the right gear and training they can handle an Ebola case.

Trenton Fire Department's Rescue 1 unit has decades of experience handling hazardous materials, including anthrax back in 2001.

They have trucks full of special equipment and a walk through decontamination trailer that'd be used to sanitize first responders in an Ebola case or other bio hazards.

Trenton Fire Department Captain Anthony Moran says, "We can set up hoses so we can decontaminate using bleach or different types of soaps to help get rid of whatever chemical or whatever we're dealing with at the time."