Photo By Sgt. Dani Salvatore | Sgt. Wiliam Burrell (left) and Sgt. Matthew Mungia, both soldiers in the 36th Engineer...... read more read more
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MONROVIA, Liberia – The 36th Engineer Brigade Headquarters from Fort Hood, Texas, are supporting the United States Agency for International Development led effort to construct Ebola treatment centers during Operation United Assistance.
Their mission will bring much-needed medical treatment facilities to areas impacted by the Ebola outbreak. Joint Forces Command-United Assistance will build 17 Ebola treatment units across Liberia to identify and isolate Ebola patients quicker.
“We have four ETUs in progress, and three additional units are in the beginning stages,” said Maj. Robert Kimmel, brigade operations officer, 36th Engineer Brigade Headquarters, Fort Hood, Texas.
The ETUs will provide a resource that protects families and communities from the spread of Ebola by isolating those with the Ebola virus in a medical facility capable of treating patients with the virus.
JFC-UA is responding as quickly and safely as possible to support USAID.
According to Kimmel, the joint effort in the operations is helping to accomplish a quick response.
“The Soldiers work side-by-side with the armed forces of Liberia to construct the ETUs,” said Kimmel. “By working together, we are able to overcome challenges that arise during operations and continue on with our mission.”
Spc. Michael Potts, combat engineer, also with the 36th Engineer Brigade Headquarters, agrees with Kimmel and said a common goal unifies Soldiers.
“Everyone is focused on the same objective, to complete the mission quickly and come home safe,” said Potts.
Protecting the health of Soldiers is a number one priority.
“Safety is very important here and we take it seriously,” said Potts. “We are all taking the proper precautions to ensure everyone stays healthy.”
Potts said their precautions include regular temperature checks for Soldiers, medication to prevent illness, and sanitation processes with a bleach-water mixture.
In addition to the safety precautions, Task Force troops will continually have hands-on training and testing on the use of their personal protective equipment to ensure they remain proficient in protecting themselves in the unlikely event of an elevated Ebola risk.
Soldiers take satisfaction in their humanitarian efforts during Operation United Assistance.
“I volunteered for this mission,” said Sgt. Matthew Mungia, a cook with the 36th Engineer Brigade. “This is a chance for me to do something different, something special, and use my skills to help people here in Liberia.”
OUA provides Soldiers a chance to exemplify what a humanitarian mission is.
“This is another side of the Army that a lot of people don’t see,” said Cpl. Nicole Matton, horizontal construction engineer, also with the 36th Engineer Brigade Headquarters. “The Army helps countries in need, and the operations we are conducting do just that.”
| Date Taken: | 11.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2014 21:40 |
| Story ID: | 147802 |
| Location: | MONROVIA, LR |
| Web Views: | 2,053 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Engineers build to bring down Ebola, by SGT Dani Salvatore, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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