Fire technician provides medical support for 134th CES

KNOXVILLE, TN, UNITED STATES

05.07.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Darby Arnold 

134th Air Refueling Wing

The 134th CES typically brings medical personnel with them during their annual deployment for training (DFT) in case a medical emergency arrises.
Air Force fire technicians do more than just fight fires, they are also trained for medical situations.
“Air Force fire protection specialists are trained to respond to medical emergencies at various levels- whether it be self aid buddy care, a first responder level, or EMT level,” said First Sgt. Gary Ornduff, fire protection specialist for the 134th CES.
Ornduff said because Jones is not only an Air Guard fireman, but also an experienced paramedic and an emergency department nurse in his civilian career, he is able to provide initial care until other responders can get them to a higher level of care if necessary.
“The paramedic side has helped me get ready for the quick, fast emergency type situations; some of the guys getting dehydrated or overheated,” said Jones. “The ER nursing side of that has helped me have more of a rapport with doctors here and lets me take care of the long term stuff, like sinus infections, that might affect them the whole time they’re here.”
While Jones was in Latvia, he was able to spend time with his Canadian counterpart to learn how another country operates when deployed.
“The Canadian’s have a really great setup,” said Jones. “They are definitely prepared for any situation we will have here. The doctors are great and the paramedics that work there are more than helpful. They have given me everything I needed and more.”
Jones said having medical support on a DFT is a vital component to mission success. Our people are our main asset, and it takes healthy people to get the job done.

• Date Taken: 05.07.2018
• Date Posted: 07.15.2018 12:47
• Story ID: 284308
• Location: KNOXVILLE, TN, US