Geared up... An Airman against the storm

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Main power had been off for a while and the hospital's generator had just lost a battle against the water flowing into the utilities room on the first floor. Hurricane Katrina was beating on the door of the Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., base hospital; hallways and rooms were dark.

But Senior Airman Mark Prohaska was "...cool. I was calm and comfortable," he said.

Having made advance preparations, and with his experience as a civilian volunteer emergency responder in Punta Gorda, Fla., Airman Prohaska seemed to be just waiting for the moment he'd be able to put his skills and abilities to use.

[Then] Airman 1st Class Prohaska, aerospace medical technician with the 482nd Fighter Wing Medical Squadron here, was attending technical school at Keesler A.F.B. and had been given a reporting time to be at the hospital with other students to ride out the storm.

As a former Boy Scout he'd taken the motto of being prepared to heart, stopping off at a local store to buy a life preserver, iodine (in case there were non-potable water issues), powdered drink mix (to mask the taste of the iodine), and boxes of energy bars before reporting.

None of his peers thought to buy a life preserver but Airman Prohaska thought to himself "It's a hurricane, and we're on a barrier island. I just thought it might come in handy," he said.

This was the kind of independent thinking and action that earned him recognition for his actions during the storm and its aftermath.

Brig. Gen. (Dr.) James J. Dougherty, Commander, 81st Medical Group, was made aware of Airman Prohaska's presence in the hospital through a conversation the general's wife had with the Airman as he walked into the hospital carrying his firefighter suit and assorted equipment.

The general first sent for Airman Prohaska immediately after the generator quit: people were stuck in the elevator. But by the time Airman Prohaska made it to the command area for information and instructions the people had managed to free themselves. Just then somebody reported a car fire in the parking lot.

Carried by the wind, flames from the one-car fire had the potential to jump from car to car, creating another problem within the scheme of the ongoing natural disaster. Airman Prohaska volunteered to leave the safety of the building to extinguish the danger. General Dougherty gave the Airman the go ahead after weighing the options: the base fire department had been called but were unsure if and when they'd be able to get to the location. Airman Prohaska and a civilian security guard quickly took care of the problem.

Reentering the hospital, Airman Prohaska immediately learned of the next challenge: reports of diesel oil floating on the water filling the first floor. It seemed to everybody that the generator fuel tanks were compromised. Airman Prohaska traded the heavy (read: it would sink quickly) firefighter suit for his recently purchased life preserver and rope. He proposed a plan to the general and was again given approval to drive on. Tied to Airmen at the other end, Airman Prohaska descended the stairs armed with a few glow sticks. Again, the situation was in hand quickly.

Looking back, the traditional reservist thinks of his opportunity to work things through independently--based solely on his experience and training--as the most memorable parts of the challenge.

"When you're [on the job at home or with an emergency responder team anywhere] there's somebody to call or ask questions if you come across something new. I didn't have anybody, and couldn't call anybody at Keesler. I had to work things through," he said.

Challenges included a lack of cell phone communication, flying debris, especially pine cones, while putting out the car fire, and not knowing what was below the surface of the water inside and outside the hospital.

"I had hardly any equipment but the general gave me the go ahead to do what I could. I just tried to overcome and adapt," said Airman Prohaska.

"It's an amazing relationship [between emergency responders and those in need], we get a lot of training in how to fix a lot of problems that people might have. And it's very rewarding; I feel really good about being able to help," he said.

Airman Prohaska has been awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his actions. He is a now a full-time firefighter for Sarasota County, Fla.