Medics train Iraqi government employees on fist aid

Photo By Spc. Alexis Harrison | Sgt. Kimberly Hunter, a Copperas Cove, Texas, native with Company C, 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, explains proper rescue breathing techniques to an employee of the Independent High Electoral Counsel during a first aid training class Aug. 16.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.19.2007

Story by Spc. Alexis Harrison 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Spc. Alexis Harrison
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAGHDAD – Medics from Company C, 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, are used to training Soldiers on life-saving techniques. They've even trained Iraqi security forces on first aid. Recently, they received the call to train a branch of the Iraqi government responsible for the democratic process.

Medics from "Trauma" Company spent the day training several employees of the Independent High Electoral Council (IHEC) on the basics of first aid Aug. 16.

This was the first time training of this type was offered to governmental employees, according to members of the training team.

Staff Sgt. Sean Gallagher, Sgt. Kimberly Hunter, Sgt. Crystal Ritz and Sgt. Chan Has gave specialized blocks of instruction on several practical topics throughout the day.

Gallagher, a North Bay, N.Y., native in charge of coordinating the training, said that training the 15 employees on first aid was only part of the reason why he and his team came to the ballot tallying office in the Green Zone.

"This was a chance to go out and do something directly for the people to help themselves," Gallagher said. "This training gave them leadership tools as well as first aid knowledge."

Gallagher said the class' design was to give them basic knowledge to help people in just about any situation. Some of the more important topics covered were how to control bleeding, rescue breathing and CPR training, and treatment for heat-related injuries. All the classes were first described in detail then given with hands-on training.

Sgt. Crystal Ritz, who is the primary Combat Life Saver Course instructor of the battalion, said that all the people in the class performed very well for never having training in first aid like this.

She said that after giving the formalized lecture on hemorrhage control, she helped hand out bandages and observed the employees practice the proper steps in applying the dressings.

"The very first person I watched took charge immediately," she said. "They went step by step through the whole process and looked up to me with a big smile like 'How'd I do?' You could tell that they were paying attention when they did the hands-on stuff so well."

One of the employees remarked on how important the training was to them. They said that just basic information like this can help them train others on how to help.

"We are very happy to get this kind of training," the man said. "The coalition is giving us information to help all people."

Many of the employees have to travel to places far outside the capital during elections. According to Squadron Leader Lewis Frederickson, the Australian liaison between Multi-National Force–Iraq headquarters and the electoral council, the hope is that when the people travel they'll help disseminate the information as they go by training others in the basic life-saving tools they were taught in the class.

Gallagher and Ritz agreed that the skills acquired in the class could be used in many situations. Some of the other classes like treating heat-related injuries, and minor sprains and strains can reduce the strain on many of the hospitals the people may have had to go to for help.

"In a many cases, these people might have to wait for an hour or two before an ambulance shows up," Gallagher said. "They now have a better understanding of the meaning behind the term 'first aid.' It gives them a sense of empowerment that might save someone's life."

The council was directly appointed by Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki to be a non-partisan group that would be in charge of the planning, logistical and implementing procedures behind the democratic elections in Iraq.

In 2005, the group conducted the first-ever open elections in Iraq. The group is currently in the rebuilding stages according to its employees. The need for first aid training was brought up by the head of their security who believed that not only his guards should be ready for anything but also many of the people in the building they work out of.

The security chief said that having training like this allows everyone to be more agile and adaptive while the government is allowed to be set up fairly.

"This is where the government and democracy begins: right here," he said. "This training is very important to the commissioners. It allows everyone to protect themselves while they begin the election process. They will be able to train their friends, family and other people when they travel during the elections."

• Date Taken: 08.19.2007
• Date Posted: 08.20.2007 11:14
• Story ID: 11883
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ