First aid classes prevent spread of diseases, increase readiness, knowledge

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ange Desinor | From left, Spc. Addison Amaral, a Gainesville, Fla., native and a combat medical specialist, demonstrates how to pick up a casualty played by Capt. Bryan Blintliff, a Newton, Pa., native, while Spc. Michael Miller, a Bullhead, Ariz., native and an instructor, all from the 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, props up Blintliff's legs to prepare him to be carried, at the National Police Training Academy in Paynesville, Liberia, Dec. 9, 2014. The training is without any government materials, medical supplies, or actual Army credential classes. Instead, it is taught by an all volunteer workforce of licensed paramedics. They taught attendees technician level, improvised, methods of first aid, helping improve their first aid procedures.  

PAYNESVILLE, LIBERIA

12.09.2014

Story by Sgt. Ange Desinor  

13th Public Affairs Detachment

PAYNESVILLE, Liberia – Soldiers of the 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, provided a first aid training class to Liberian law enforcement personnel at the National Police Training Academy, Paynesville, Liberia, Dec. 9 that could help protect them from diseases such as the Ebola virus.

“They can use this class in field conditions,” said Spc. Michael Miller, a Bullhead, Arizona, native and an instructor. “We have the tactical instructors from NPTA and the medical providers for the police department so they can have a little bit of a dialogue and cross communication between the two jobs.”

The Liberian police were taught different techniques to perform first-aid.

“We've been teaching the police better procedures and proper use of [proper protective gear], isolation and safe habits when dealing with the population,” said Miller. “We also teach them how to identify personnel that could be infected with the Ebola virus.”

Proper training keeps everyone safe.

“This, hopefully, will not only keep themselves safe, but also anyone they come in contact with,” said Miller.

This class also mitigates the spread of other bacterial and viral threats.

“Human Immune Virus, hepatitis and other infectious diseases can be prevented and a low-threat if proper precautions is present during first-aid,” said Miller.

First aid is important for law enforcement personnel because they are typically first-responders.

“Just like back in the United States, the police are usually the first one on the scene,” said Miller. “That's the same over here. A lot of time when someone suffers an injury, there's body fluids involved, so then there's potential to get and spread diseases. So, we show them how to isolate themselves from these fluids and other things and administer first aid. That way they can possibly save the life of a person safely.”

Officials at the NPTA requested this training to take advantage of the service members’ expertise while they’re in Liberia, said Miller. Within the ranks 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion, there are paramedics and Soldiers with other medical qualifications such as the Army’s combat lifesaver course.

The Liberian police officers who received the training will then teach others in their ranks, said Miller.

This particular training is volunteer work.

“The training is without any government materials, medical supplies, or actual Army credential classes” said Miller. “Since we are licensed paramedics, we are only showing them and telling them technician level, improvised methods on first aid. All we are doing is giving them our time to help improve their first-aid procedures.”

Miller is happy to have a motivated group.

“They Liberians were very engaged during the training,” said Miller. “This was new information for a lot of them. They asked various types of questions as well as alternative scenarios. We spoke with their assistant commandant; he said within the first hour, several of the students came to him and said they love the class and want to continue it.”

Because of the Ebola crisis, Francis Williams, a tactical instructor with the NPTA, appreciated the class.

“The class is very important and we should take every precautions to protect ourselves and others,” said Williams. “I'm grateful to have such knowledge now to pass on to the officers in the field.”

The training will be completed Dec. 12, 2014.

• Date Taken: 12.09.2014
• Date Posted: 12.10.2014 05:07
• Story ID: 149894
• Location: PAYNESVILLE, LR