Courtesy Photo | The 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron patch on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.... read more read more
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F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. - Airmen from the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, used skills they learned during Self Aid and Buddy Care to rescue a woman from an overturned vehicle.
It was an ordinary, windy October day for five security forces defenders from F.E. Warren AFB, who were geared up and headed to the missile field to exercise their capabilities. Despite the dry air and gusts of wind that day, rain that had fallen the night before softened the shoulder of County Road 129.
While traveling down that road, the Airmen came across a white pickup truck that was turned upside down in the field on the right-hand side of the road. Smoke was escaping from the engine compartment area.
“Without really thinking about it, I jumped into action along with [Staff Sgt. Marcus Blue, Senior Airman Richard Winkelman and Airmen 1st Class Toll Griffith and Marisa Martinez, all from the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron],” said Airman First Class Dustin Giger, 90th MSFS.
Blue and Griffith immediately stopped their Humvees; four of the Airmen dismounted their vehicles and ran to the truck.
Martinez quickly relayed the vehicle accident information to their flight security controller, Senior Airman Garcia, who shared that information and continuous pertinent updates back to base.
The next 17 minutes before the ambulance arrived were fluid. Everyone had the same thought process, each responsible for a different role as first responders to the accident.
As Blue, Winkelman, Griffith and Giger approached the truck, they heard a hissing noise coming from the vehicle and saw a woman trapped inside. They knew if she was able, they needed to get her out of the wreckage.
The driver-side door was pinned to the ground, so the Airmen ripped the passenger door open.
Giger contacted 911 to relay the location and vehicle accident information.
After confirming the woman was conscious and had no major injuries preventing her from getting out of the vehicle, the Airmen helped her move a safe distance from the truck and sat her down in order to prevent any shock that may occur.
She did not leave the accident free from injury. She had blood covering her hands and face from glass shards piercing her skin.
Griffith retrieved the first aid kit and kept the woman calm throughout the duration of the event. Blue and Winkelman removed the glass pieces from the woman’s head, ears and eyes in order to prevent further injuries.
“[Self-Aid and Buddy Care] was the main source of training that we all had in our arsenal to respond to this scenario,” Giger said.
While performing SABC, Winkelman asked the woman how the rollover occurred.
"I was driving approximately 40 mph, and I hit a crevice on the road and lost control," the woman said. "I tried to gain control of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to run off the road and flip."
She nearly missed a power line and concrete Jersey barrier.
The Weld County medical response team arrived and took control of the accident scene, while the Airmen provided traffic control due to the high volume of traffic.
Emergency medical technicians safely transferred the woman into the ambulance, and the Airmen drove on to continue their mission for the day.
On an ordinary, windy October day, Warren’s defenders did something extraordinary. In just 17 minutes, these security forces Airmen implemented their military training in radio communications, Self-Aid and Buddy Care and traffic control into a real-world scenario.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to assist local civilians when in need,” Griffith said, “and that our team was able to help the woman to the best of our ability.”
We should always take our military training seriously because it could be the ultimate factor in a life or death situation, Giger said.
“Incidents can occur at a moment's notice,” Giger said. “We should be ready to jump into action at any time no matter what the situation dictates.”
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2014 16:47 |
| Story ID: | 146489 |
| Location: | F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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