VING anticipate requests to utilize federal facilities

Photo By Capt. Marcia Bruno | Brig. Gen. Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, the adjutant general, led a staff walkthrough of the 210th Regional Training Institute and the dining facility, at the Estate Bethlehem compound, March 16, 2020. The visitors also look at the HMMMWV Ambulance with Advanced Armour Protection or the HMMWV M997A3, which will be used to transport patients in response to COVID19 cases. The Virgin Islands National Guard anticipates requests from the Department of Defense for the utilization of VING federal facilities to support local COVID19 requirements.  

ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS, US

03.17.2020

Story by Capt. Marcia Bruno 

Virgin Islands National Guard, 51st Public Affairs Detachment

ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands – While on a conference call with The Chief National Guard Bureau, Brig. Gen. Kodjo Knox-Limbacker led a staff walkthrough of the 210th Regional Training Institute and the dining facility, at the Estate Bethlehem compound, March 16, 2020.

The Virgin Islands Department of Health is the lead agency for the COVID19. Currently, there is no request for support made to the VING. However, preparations to provide a facility to support VIDOH COVID19 requirements are under consideration.

“It was good for us to understand the needs of our health partners from both the private and public stakeholders to understand where the needs are,” said Knox-Limbacker. “Moreover, where we can help from a facility and personnel standpoint, and what equipment we have for transportation to facilitate the necessary care for personnel within our territory.”

The VING anticipates a request from Gov. Albert A. Bryan to the Department of Defense for the utilization of VING federal facilities to support COVID19 requirements.

The VING is preparing to provide drivers to operate military vehicles to transport patients. "Between the Department of Health and Department of Human Services, they will be the ones providing medical care to those infected," said Col. Jean Collins, deputy state surgeon for the VING.

The VING is postured to support the transportation of commodities, personnel, and first responders in response to COVID19 requirements.

The visitors were able to see our vehicles, specifically the HMMWV Ambulance with Advanced Armour Protection or the HMMWV M997A3, which will be used to transport patients.

Representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Virgin Islands Territory Emergency Management Agency, Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, the United States Public Health Services working for the Centers for Disease Control, and AreoMD made-up the visitors who toured the facility.

"This was an evaluation of the facility to see if they could support the layout for those individuals that become effected and need medical attention," said Command Sgt. Maj. Pete Stapleton, commandant for the 210th RTI.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2020
• Date Posted: 03.17.2020 21:21
• Story ID: 365414
• Location: ST. CROIX, VI
• Hometown: ST. THOMAS, VI