Paramedics, SRT raid combat town

Photo By Lance Cpl. Javarre Glanton | A Parris Island Fire/Rescue operator wears the paramedic patch allowing others within his squad to recognize him.  

PARRIS ISLAND, SC, UNITED STATES

06.13.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Javarre Glanton 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

Emergency responders aboard Parris Island became more prepared to provide medical aid in the event of a gunman attacking personnel thanks to a training event, June 13.

Paramedics from the Parris Island Fire Department teamed up with the Special Reaction Team from the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Provost Marshal’s Office for active-shooter drills in Combat Town.

For six hours, the teams used pistols with simulated ammunition and flash-bang grenades to complete the scenario-based training.

The situations within the exercise helped the certified medical technicians from the fire department learn what to expect when working alongside the SRT, said Ben Fontenot, a law enforcement instructor.

The training period was the first time the officers were accompanied by SRT-qualified medics.

“In a training area like this, we just go over the basics of what these military policemen learned in school,” explained Fred Calawor, the PMO training chief. He said the training is designed to mimic the real situations personnel may encounter.

“We’re bringing the streets to the training,” he said.

The exercise was part of an annual 48-hour training block consisting of other types of training to keep the police officers current with knowledge, procedure and certification.

Building confidence in the procedures and steps was essential in the many times they repeated the scenario.

“We conduct the same practical exercise each time we do this block training,” Calawor added. “We stress the strong points and correct the deficiencies each time we go through scenarios so they can be well-rounded.”

“We want them to walk away with reinforcement of building-clearing fundamentals, better abilities to communicate with other officers in the scenarios and the ability to react, contain or engage an active shooter,” he said.

Calawor shared 22 years of experience in law enforcement and 12 years as an instructor with the officers during the training to help them better grasp the concepts.

“If you get confident with what you’re doing here, you’ll perform the same way in an actual situation,” he said to the officers, stressing the importance of conducting proper procedure during training.

“If they mess up, it could mean the difference between life and death, so I had them go through it again until they got everything right.”

• Date Taken: 06.13.2011
• Date Posted: 06.23.2011 14:08
• Story ID: 72615
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US