SANFORD — Disasters are something they prepare for, but at the same time, hope will never happen.

A bus carrying 40 young people crashes on the outskirts of town, and there are multiple injuries, or there’s an explosion at a manufacturing facility in one of the industrial parks in the southern end of the city.

In this manufactured scenario, the injured are ferried to Sanford Medical Center. The good news is that there are 39 people ”“ 17 in Sanford and 22 who are only 20 minutes away in Biddeford ”“ specially trained to assess the situation and help the medical staff. They’ll set up an emergency treatment area, triage the patients and then decontaminate those who need it ”“ cutting the patient out of their clothing and showering away any chemicals or other fluids that might have spilled on the patient, before the person is whisked away to the emergency department.

They are the Hospital Emergency Response Taskforce, known as HERT, members of the hospital’s staff who undertake specialty training on how to respond when confronted with contamination from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive agents that could impact the patient area.

Team member Norman Cote and Hub Giehll, HERT coordinator, spoke about the team a couple of weeks ago, in the run-up to Gary’s Walk, set to take place June 7. The walk, which honors the memory of long-time Sanford community supporter Gary Sullivan, steps off from the Goodall Medical Office building at 9 a.m. that day.

Proceeds from the walk will benefit the HERT team, in the form of special vests that keep team members cool.

Giehll explained that the protective gear HERT members wear, such as special suits and respirators, get very hot after about 20 minutes. The vests, quite simply, contain special removable packs that are frozen to keep team members cool. Giehll managed to cut a deal with the company that sells the vests, bringing them down from about $212 to $125 each. They’re looking to purchase 42 vests.

Sullivan was a long-time member of the Goodall Hospital board, serving nine years in that capacity. Born and raised in Sanford, Sullivan gave back to his hometown in various ways for four decades. He died in 2012, after living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, for seven years.

“Gary Sullivan was one of those special individuals who went above and beyond to improve the lives of others,” said SMHC’s Chief Operating Officer Patsy Aprile. “This walk honors his memory and the numerous contributions he made to the Sanford community.”

The walk will take place rain or shine. Sanford Medical Center will be offering free blood pressure screenings and information about various health services during the event.

The registration fee for Gary’s Walk is $15; children younger than 12 walk free. Unlike other fundraising walks, participants are not asked to collect pledges.

The first 100 adults to register will receive a “Gary’s Walk” T-shirt. Registration on the day of the event opens at 8 a.m. Participants may register online by going to www.active.com and typing in “Gary’s Walk” in the “What’s Your Activity” tab; by downloading a registration form at www.smhc.org; or by calling 490-7027.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].