Naval Hospital Bremerton annual security exercise applies real-world lessons

Photo By Douglas Stutz | Lending a hand, one limb at a time...Naval Hospital Bremerton staff members engage in stretcher bearer training as part of a mass casualty scenario during the annual security exercise Operation Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield, which also included security forces handling a vehicle borne improvised explosive device Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs).  

BREMERTON , WA, UNITED STATES

02.02.2018

Story by Douglas Stutz    

Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton

The premise for the annual security exercise Operation Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield held at Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) seemed like a dramatic reenactment gleaned from a recent headline.

Which was exactly the idea.

Dealing with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) that resulted in fatalities and wounded is training that Navy Medicine personnel have to be trained to handle not just on the battlefield, but in any setting.

NHB doctors, nurses, hospital corpsmen, Security Department personnel and support staff conducted mass casualty training in response to an explosion on base in conjunction with Operation Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield on Feb. 2, 2018.

According to Terry Lerma, NHB emergency preparedness manager, the overarching purpose of such a drill was to test and evaluate command readiness and response after a terrorist event and resulting mass casualty at the command.

“There is potential at any time for a terrorist event utilizing a VBIED to cause multiple casualties and/or fatalities, along with panic and/or disruption of both routine and vital services,” said Lerma.

The exercise allowed NHB to assess numerous requirements needed to respond to such an incident, including evaluating staff roles and responsibilities in handling a terrorist event and mass casualty incident; evaluating the hospital command center’s senior leadership involvement and emergency operations plan activation for response to a VBIED detonation and mass casualty scenario; evaluating command communication with local military installations, Navy Medicine West, and applicable civilian agencies in sharing emergency public information; evaluating command security protocols for adequate staff and patient safety measures; and coordinating timely press releases and updates with the incident commanders, public information officer, and members of the media.

Also taking active roles in the exercise supporting NHB’s emergency medical efforts were responding units from Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Olympic Ambulance and Kitsap County Central Communications (911), as well as ample assistance from Naval Base Kitsap security forces.

“Planning and training exercises such as this must be conducted in order to prepare for a potential VBIED or mass casualty event and include all the other essential activities that follow such an event,” Lerma said, noting that essential activities would include activation of NHB’s mass casualty plan, contacting and coordinating with local civilian hospitals such as Bremerton’s Harrison Medical Center to receive casualties, and the medical evacuation of seriously injured trauma patients to Harborview Medical Center, Seattle.

Other vital requirements during such an event include continuous coordination with local fire departments, emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies for support.

“We would need help in managing what would then become a crime scene, as we activate our continuity of operations plan. Additionally, keeping the lines of communication flowing is one of the most important things we will focus on during an event like this. Internally, as well as, to all of our external audiences. During this time, we would be continuing communicating with the media, beneficiaries, community and especially any families impacted, and also with Navy Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, and even TRICARE for patients to be able to get their treatment elsewhere if we couldn’t provide, and many, many others,” stated Lerma.

• Date Taken: 02.02.2018
• Date Posted: 02.08.2018 13:12
• Story ID: 265250
• Location: BREMERTON , WA, US