Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan | Fifty North Carolina National Guard Soldiers deploy to the PNC arena for COVID-19...... read more read more
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Fifty North Carolina National Guard Soldiers deployed to the PNC Arena for COVID-19 operations in Raleigh, North Carolina, March 4, 2021.
The Soldiers, assigned to the NCNG’s 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team and 113th Sustainment Brigade, directed vehicle traffic and provided logistical and administrative support at a mass vaccination center led by Wake County Emergency Management staff and volunteers.
“We broke into teams where emergency management felt they needed us,” said NCNG Maj. Kelbey Glass assigned to the 113th Sustainment Brigade and a leader with the support team.
Each morning the Soldiers prepared for more than 2,000 people who had registered online earlier. Tents and shelters for civilian staff were assembled, traffic entry points marked and supplies distributed.
The arena provided a large open parking lots and is close to a large traffic network near Interstate 40 and other key roads for ease of access.
“They (arena and Carolina Hurricanes staff) have been very hospitable to us,” NCNG Master Sgt. Glenn Bunch assigned to the 113th SB and a support team platoon sergeant said.
The Soldiers began directing traffic as the center opened at 8 a.m. There was a steady flow of cars, and entire inoculation process is done in the patient’s car
Guardsmen kept track of each of the registration lanes guiding the cars to the lane with the shortest line so they can process the most people in the least time.
Soldiers checked registration of each person needing a vaccination. If the registration was incomplete, the Soldiers assist them in completing the process.
“We make things run smoothly,” said NCNG Sgt. Justin Spivey assigned to B Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team and a traffic controller with the support team.
After the initial check they were guided across the large area parking lots to several tents with civilian medical technicians who administered the COVID-19 vaccine.
Once the inoculations were complete, the Soldiers led drivers to a waiting area where other civilian medical personnel stood by in case of any adverse reactions to the shots.
Operations ended at 3 p.m. and the Soldiers then broke down the tents and shelters, stored them with other equipment in secure trailers for use the next morning.
Since vaccinations began in North Carolina NCNG Soldiers and Airmen have assisted with over 246 inoculations at various sites across the state. Over the past year NCNG personnel have distributed more than 4.3 million masks, 7.9 million sterile gloves and other personal protective equipment to medical workers statewide.
NCNG trucks have driven over 241,000 miles across North Carolina delivering food and PPE, that is equivalent to the distance from the earth to the moon.
| Date Taken: | 03.09.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2021 08:01 |
| Story ID: | 390978 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 188 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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