31st MEU practices decontamination skills

Photo By Matthew Manning | Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit perform mass-casualty decontamination training at Kin Blue Beach training area July 11. The training was conducted to ensure the 31st MEU is ready to respond to potential chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats in the Asia-Pacific region. The Marines taking part in the training are with Combat Logistics Regiment 31 and the command element of the 31st MEU, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.11.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew Manning 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a mass-casualty decontamination training exercise at Kin Blue Beach training area July 11.

The training was conducted to ensure the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, is prepared to respond to potential chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Having the capability to provide mass-casualty decontamination increases the capabilities of the 31st MEU in regards to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions,” said Cpl. Carlos S. Sahagun, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU. “A recent example of this was during Operation Tomadachi where there was a radiation threat.”

Marines with the 31st MEU used this decontamination process on themselves during Operation Tomadachi, according to Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan B. Davis, CBRN defense officer with the 31st MEU.

During the training exercise, the Marines of CLB-31 cross-trained with CBRN defense specialist Marines from the command element of the 31st MEU.

“The Marines from CLB-31 were fast learners,” said Lance Cpl. Marci L. Strickler, CBRN defense specialist with the command element. “This is an easy process to learn, and it increases the abilities of the 31st MEU.”

Marines of both CLB-31 and the command element acted as victims in a contaminated area during the training.

“Once we set up the decontamination lane, we sent out our triage team to find those inside the infected area and brought them back to be decontaminated,” said Sahagun. “The role players were classified as either ambulatory or non-ambulatory by the triage team. Those who are ambulatory walked through the different stations in the lane while the triage team carried the non-ambulatory (victims) back to be decontaminated.”

The first step in the decontamination process is to have those who are contaminated remove their valuables and clothing, according to Davis.

“Once they remove their valuables and clothes, the valuables will be placed inside a plastic bag,” said Davis. “Their clothing will then be destroyed because of the contamination on them.”

Upon removal of valuables and clothing, the victims proceed to a shower station.

“We have a shower system set up for the ambulatory patients to clean themselves off,” said Davis. “Marines will clean off the non-ambulatory by using sponges and buckets of solution to remove the contamination. After the patient has been cleaned, we will scan them for contaminates. If the scanner detects contaminates they will be required to wash again until the scanner says they are clean.”

Those going through the decontamination lane are either taken to medical facilities or released once the scanners say they are clean, according to Davis.

“Overall the exercise was beneficial for these Marines,” said Davis. “We were able to get Marines trained on how to properly set up and use a decontamination lane. We also learned it would be better to have multiple lanes for non-ambulatory victims since they take longer to decontaminate.”

• Date Taken: 07.11.2012
• Date Posted: 07.19.2012 20:51
• Story ID: 91861
• Location: OKINAWA, JP