Medical unit ready to save lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez
  • 482d Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The 482nd Medical Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base conducted their annual Mass Casualty Training Exercise on Feb. 3. The training was implemented to help prepare the squadron for the next Base Operational Readiness Exercise.

"Medics need to be prepared to function in a contingency environment involving large casualties," said Maj. Richard Zimmelman, 482nd Fighter Wing Medical Squadron Readiness Officer.

The exercise started off with par sweeps, which ensures the area is safe and secure to treat the injured. Airmen then had to execute triage, the process of sorting the patients based on severity of casualties and then prioritizing which of them would be assisted first.  Airmen practiced following different force protection conditions and proper radio protocol and worked as a team performing self-aid buddy care and simulating communications with an emergency center.

Over 75 Homestead ARB personnel participated in the training exercise; 15 participants acted as casualties imposing more demand on the team because of their absence. Quick reaction was key to scenarios when helping "victims".  Transporting injured to designated areas under stressful conditions was a key training objective. Airmen had to quickly administer the proper care to each casualty with simulated injures such as burns, wounds, and broken bones.

Each scenario was unique and challenged the Airmen in different skill areas,

"They performed well with stellar professionalism," said Master Sgt. Ismael Montalvo, 482nd Fighter Wing non-commissioned officer in charge of pharmacy.

Sergeant Montalvo said the medical squadron is ready to deploy if need be.  Many of the reservists are emergency medical technicians and nurses in their civilian jobs.  For most, many of the injuries they treated during the exercise they have experience treating in their civilian jobs. They are, therefore, more experienced in their jobs and perform on a higher level of experience and expertise, something unique a Reserve member brings to the fight.

The unit continues to perform their jobs well and maintain their training, upholding the Air Force core value of "excellence in all we do."