Medical readiness at the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion gains ground after visit by 1st Sustainment Brigade Medical Team

Courtesy Photo | Killeen, Texas native, Sgt. Deanna Maiten, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade orderly room noncommissioned officer in charge, re-stocks her combat lifesaver bag at the HHC's casualty collection point, Aug. 16, 2008. Each CLS bag is inventoried at least once a month using the 1SB CLS bag inventory list.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.26.2008

Courtesy Story

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

By Capt. Jeni Webb
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Accidents often occur when Soldiers are least prepared for them. But thanks to some recent staff assistance visits by the 1st Sustainment Brigade Surgeon's Office, that is no longer the case in the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

This summer, Sgt. 1st Class DeWayne Smith, of Lexington, Ky., who serves as the 1st Sustainment Brigade Surgeon's section noncommissioned officer in charge, visited all five companies in the 553rd CSSB to assist them in improving their medical maintenance, training, and response procedures at the company level.

While there, Smith was able to work through a detailed checklist with each company training sergeant, covering areas such as hearing conservation, field sanitation, and combat lifesaver bags in an effort to identify shortfalls and recommend solutions.

One need Smith identified was the absence of signs warning Soldiers of the need to wear ear protection in a hazardous noise area.

In another unit, he highlighted the importance of making field sanitation items such as insect repellant, sunscreen, and foot powder available to Soldiers; and as a result, ample supplies are now readily available in the company's new field sanitation kits and new signs reminding Soldiers to wear their ear protection are posted.

Sgt. Deanna Maiten, of Killeen, Texas, who serves as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company Orderly Room, 553rd CSSB said, "I didn't think we had any field sanitation equipment because we didn't have hand washing stations — now I know that field sanitation includes much more than that."

Upon completion of his inspection, Smith conducted an informative out brief to the company and battalion command teams. He pointed out both weak and strong areas in each company, and offered up solutions and recommended courses of action to take.

Some units are now conducting monthly medical training and some have field sanitation teams preparing to attend the next class in October.

Finally, he provided guidance on how to solve each problem and coordinated with the Battalion's medical assistance officer to conduct a follow-up visit.

After the final visit was complete, it was noted that all five companies in the 553rd CSSB are in compliance with the 1st Sustainment Brigade's most current medical safety procedures.

Now the Soldiers in the "Rock Steady" Battalion are better equipped to maintain their medical readiness, and are well-prepared for any medical emergency that may come their way.

• Date Taken: 08.26.2008
• Date Posted: 08.26.2008 04:13
• Story ID: 22879
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ