Cherry Point ARFF Marines train for emergency medical situations

Photo By Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom | Lance Cpl. Michael T. Spisak prepares to put an oxygen tube on a breathing dummy during his test on rescue breathing and airways in a classroom at the Station Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting garage Feb. 16. The Marines are tested on various emergency situations to become certified as emergency medical technicians.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

03.03.2011

Story by Pfc. Cory D. Polom 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marines of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting are mostly known for their efforts protecting the aircraft of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

But some of these firefighters are currently enrolled in a five-week long emergency medical technician class to become EMT certified in order to protect people.

“This training is exciting and important,” said Lance Cpl. Sam J. Ickes, an aircraft rescue firefighter. “With the job we have, there may come a time where someone’s life is in our hands.”

At the conclusion of the course the Marines will have learned how to give pharmaceuticals, how to treat for shock and how to treat different types of injuries.

“This course will benefit the Marine, the air station and the community,” said Sgt. Cameron M. Smith, the assistant training chief for ARFF. “The skills they learn are life-saving tools.”

Ickes said the importance of this trumps the difficulty of the long schedules the course calls for from the Marines.

“The hours are long and crazy,” said Ickes. “However, the one thing that the majority of the class had trouble with is the prescription drugs section. It is different because you have to know how each drug will react to others.”

Jon W. Stephens, a firefighter and paramedic with Havelock emergency services is instructing the course.

“I have fun teaching the Marines about the importance of being EMT certified,” said Stephens, adding that this certification can open up additional career paths for these Marines in the civilian sector.

Smith said he feels the Marines are the ones who benefit the most from becoming a certified technician.

“It is a career advancement tool that benefits not only the Marine but the mission of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Cherry Point,” said Staff Sgt. Racheal R. Benezette, the training chief for ARFF.

• Date Taken: 03.03.2011
• Date Posted: 03.03.2011 09:53
• Story ID: 66397
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US