NEMTI hosts Expeditionary Medical Facility Training

Photo By Cpl. Haley McMenamin | Naval medical personnel, both active duty and reservists from various bases, participated in Expeditionary Medical Facility Training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 11-15, 2017. The training facility, constructed of tents, included a 50-bed field hospital with an intensive care unit, operation room capabilities and ambulatory care. Participants ran through scenarios and practiced treated "casualties" in a simulated combat environment. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Haley McMenamin)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

12.15.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Haley McMenamin 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Naval medical personnel, both active duty and reservists from various bases, participated in Expeditionary Medical Facility Training at the Naval Expeditionary Medical Training Institute on Camp Pendleton from Dec. 11-15, 2017.

The training facility, constructed of tents, included a 50-bed field hospital with an intensive care unit, operating room and ambulatory care capabilities Participants ran through scenarios and practiced treating "casualties" in a simulated combat environment.

“We are doing what’s called functional area training. We put all the equipment in there and we run casualty scenarios through the facility,” said CDR Sharon House, officer-in-charge, NEMTI. “It simulates an actual battlefield environment, they get an operations order, an execution order and they receive casualties throughout the day.”

The “casualties” they receive can range anywhere from a sprained ankle to something more complex, such as head trauma. Navy medical personnel get more comfortable transitioning from a medical treatment facility to more of a field hospital environment.

“It’s also a great team building exercise,” said House, adding training like this provides a good opportunity for team building and comrader, ensuring the unit's readiness. “They are evaluating their tier 1 status readiness capability, we are getting them ready for deployment,” she said.

Although they have not been tasked with a deployment yet, training prior to a deployment is beneficial and ensures they are ready, when that time comes.

• Date Taken: 12.15.2017
• Date Posted: 12.15.2017 20:36
• Story ID: 259101
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US