Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | Fresno, Calif., native Capt. Philip Durando (left), and Rapid City, S.D., native Sgt....... read more read more
By Spc. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – The 41st Fires Brigade broke from artillery tradition and created a medical company, the first in a fires brigade.
Company C, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Bde., stood-up during the battalion's uncasing ceremony, July 10.
All the medics will remain under the same command rather than being distributed throughout the brigade, said Capt. Philip Durando, Company C commander. Consolidating command and control will let Durando and other leaders know all the medics are available when needed.
The change will also upgrade patient care from Level I, which provides initial treatment and sick call, to Level II. A Level II facility is capable of providing specialty care and surgical capabilities when supported by a forward Surgical Team.
Company C will work with 848th Forward Surgical Team and eight additional augmentees to provide 41st Fires Bde., Coalition forces and local nationals with physical, dental and mental health care while deployed to FOB Delta, said Sgt. 1st Class DeAnne Hildreth, Company C's acting first sergeant, and a Rapid City, S.D., native.
Colonel Richard Francey, 41st Fires Bde. Commander, spearheaded the changeover.
"I think there's a shortage in fires brigades of Level II care, so we've taken this opportunity to stand one up in the fight and prove its justified," said Francey, of Brockton, Mass.
The medics in the company are split into three platoons; each focuses on different aspects of patient care. Soldiers in Headquarters Platoon receive patients and track their information.
Treatment Platoon Soldiers work mostly in the treatment rooms and trauma bays, while Evacuation Platoon Soldiers are responsible for preparing patients for evacuation.
All medics remain ready to treat patients, said Staff Sgt. Angela Kelly, Headquarters Platoon sergeant, who calls Fort Knox, Ky., home.
In addition to treating patients in the hospital, one medic will accompany each patrol that leaves the Forward Operating Base.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2008 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 21460 |
| Location: | AL KUT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 80 |
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