Photo By Staff Sgt. John Couffer | Palau native Pfc. Jory Uong (left), a healthcare specialist assigned to Company C...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – Twenty-five soldiers assigned to the Company “Ironmedics” C of the 115th “Muleskinner” Brigade Support Battalion, 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division trained on procedures to decontaminate chemically injured soldiers, here, Aug. 1.
The Ironmedics conducted training to familiarize leaders and soldiers with the proper procedures for handling patient decontamination in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear environment.
“We need to know what steps need to be taken and when they need to be taken,” explained the training noncommissioned officer in charge, Bay City, Mich. native, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Manyen, the Ironmedics evacuation platoon sergeant. “We know of countries who have the ability to use contaminates that can affect our military and service members, so we need to know how to counteract.”
Manyen believes when America went to war with Iraq and Afghanistan the focus was changed to a more tactical mission, but now with Operation Iraqi Freedom complete and Operation Enduring Freedom drawing to a close, it’s time to change direction.
“Since we have been in the fight with (Iraq and Afghanistan) it kind of got pushed as not being as important because there was less of a chance of being attacked with chemical weapons,” Manyen added.
With current events turning to Syria and Egypt, the trainings officer in charge believes CBRN training is important.
“It is my understanding (this type of) training hasn’t been done in years and is something we need to be able to utilize, especially with what is going on with the attacks in Syria,” stated Texas native 2nd Lt. Tyler Fonseca, a medical service officer for the Ironmedics.
Manyen explained if a medic doesn’t know how to properly decontaminate a patient it could cause a domino effect.
“Being the medical professionals, we need to know what to do to ensure we minimize the number of contamination injuries,” Manyen added. “We don’t need to become one or cause somebody else to become one; it will only cause a chain reaction.”
Soldiers across the Muleskinner Battalion wore Mission Oriented Protective Posture Suits to the agent decontamination site with different simulated injuries, where they were examined by the physician’s assistant, and then classified as a liter or ambulatory patient. After they received their diagnosis they were directed where to go next.
“If (the patient is) someone who needs attention right away we have a site where they can get treatment,” Fonseca added. “They will go through the procedures of dropping their clothes, scrubbing them down, pushing through and getting checked by the (Improved Chemical Agent Monitor) to see if they are clean, if not then they go through the process again.”
After determining what type of casualty the patient is, medical personnel removed the soldiers MOPP gear, along with their outer garments or Army Combat Uniform.
Patients classified as a liter casualty received a sponge bath and ambulatory patients were transferred to the decontamination showers.
Once cleaned, the soldier was sent to the ‘hot line,’ or non-contaminated side, and further treated. If needed they were evacuated to a more suitable medical facility.
“This training was really hands on,” said Slidell, La. native, Spc. Angelo Bayona, a medic assigned to the Ironmedics. “It makes you more confident when you are able to actually practice.”
Like many new soldiers, this was Bayona’s, a four-year medic, first time conducting hands-on Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical training.
Bayona explained, until now his training was limited to classes of discussion and pamphlets.
“So, actually being out there and getting hands on training helps it sink in better,” Bayona added.
Manyen described the participating soldiers as motivated.
“It is something they haven’t done,” Manyen said. “It’s something different. Anytime they get the ability to do something outside their normal routine, they seem more motivated and more accepting to the learning process … they have an, ‘OK, this is what we have to do, let’s go do it,’ attitude.”
Future CBRN and NBC training has been incorporated into upcoming field exercises to get a more realistic feel for the training.
“It is something that needs to be tested outside of a controlled environment,” Manyen believes.
Manyen expressed he would like to see the training conducted at minimum semi-annually.
“If there is too long of a gap between trainings, you are essentially starting all over again,” Manyen added. “But if you do it every three to six months it is still kind of fresh in your mind.”
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2013 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 111815 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | BAY CITY, MI, US |
| Hometown: | BLACK HAWK, CO, US |
| Hometown: | SLIDELL, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 113 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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