Fort Hood emergency responders react to full-scale forces response exercise

Photo By Ken Scar | Pfc. Lawrence Toh (left), a Fort Hood firefighter with the 36th Engineer Brigade, and Fort Hood firefighter Robert Casanova evacuate Sgt. Brandy Gonzales, a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and environmental specialist with the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, who was a role player during the III Corps 2013 full-scale forces responder exercise May 15, 2013. The training exercise began with incidents in the local community with subsequent Fort Hood events, including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices resulting in injuries and death. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ken Scar, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

05.15.2013

Story by Sgt. Ken Scar    

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT HOOD, TX – First responders on Fort Hood took part in the III Corps 2013 full-scale forces response exercise on May 15.

The training exercise began with simulated incidents in the local community, with subsequent Fort Hood events, including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices resulting in injuries and death. Responders were not forewarned, and their reactions were documented for later after-action reviews.

One simulated event was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device outside a building near the 79th street gate that left 47 casualties with varying degrees of injuries - from mere scratches and bruises to severe lacerations and shock. Realistic-looking wounds and blood were applied to the volunteers, who wailed and screamed and did everything they could to make the exercise as realistic as possible.

“This training was well set up,” said Michael Watkins, a Fort Hood EMT and retired U.S. Army staff sergeant. “The injuries looked very realistic. Some of the them we expected to see, some were much worse.”

As the exercise was winding down, with the role players all bandaged up and carried away in ambulances, Watkins reflected on the value of this kind of training.

“Training like this, where we care for real people, is always worthwhile,” he said. “My chief will time the response, and evaluate the treatment we gave each patient. I think it went well. We have lots of experience and knowledge treating patients. The paramedics and EMT’s we have here on Fort Hood are quality people.”

• Date Taken: 05.15.2013
• Date Posted: 05.18.2013 12:55
• Story ID: 107185
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US