Photo By Master Sgt. Bradley Church | Staff Sgt. Matthew Loughlin, Army Staff Sgt. Michael Petrelli and Senior Airman Andy...... read more read more
ALI BASE, Iraq -- Most seasoned firefighters have worked auto accidents where they had to cut out an injured person after a wreck. This can be quite different in a combat zone off a military installation.
On the military installation it is normal business, but if the accident happens off the installation it requires different procedures.
From the logistics of how to get to the scene and how to handle it means extra training and coordination.
Here at Ali Base, this responsibility goes to the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Rescue Air Mobility Squad. The RAMS unit consists of 20 firefighters specially trained in auto extrication and combat skills, which includes close quarters marksmanship, convoy duty and other specialized functions.
Because of the specialized training, the RAMS unit conducts exercises with the Army medevac unit here to practice their rescue procedures every couple months.
The latest training occurred April 3 during four day and night operations involving auto extrication at a simulated off-base accident.
Each exercise kicked off with the fire department receiving a call of a vehicle accident involving American forces off-base. The RAMS team grabbed their gear and drove to the waiting helicopter for the flight to the accident scene.
"By the time the telephone call is made, we have 15 minutes to get into the air," said Senior Master Sgt. Randy Eppley, 407th ECES Fire Chief. "Our goal at the fire department is to be on the helicopter in eight minutes."
Each flight consists of four RAMS firefighters and a medevac crew consisting of pilot, co-pilot, two crew chiefs and one medic from the Army's Company C, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment.
These self-sufficient firefighters cover all vehicle accidents south of Baghdad.
Since November they have responded to four calls where they have landed at an accident scene off base to cut people out of vehicles.
"Most of the guys are EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) and the victims are under our care while they are in the vehicle," said Staff Sgt. Vance Vansteel, a firefighter and RAMS member from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "Once they are out they go under the care of the Army medic."
One major difference between auto extrication with a RAMS team and a regular fire department is the RAMS team has to be self-sufficient and bring the bare essentials they think they might need.
"You are on your own and can't call for backup when on the scene," said Tech. Sgt. James Ralls Sr., a reservist deployed here from Travis AFB, Calif. "Our job is a tough one, but the rewards in saving lives is worth the effort."
In this exercise the scenario had at least one injured person trapped in a vehicle in a remote area off base. The RAMS members had to cut the doors off the vehicle and assist the Army medic with emergency care before moving the person to the helicopter and then to the hospital.
"Overall the exercise was outstanding," Sergeant Vansteel said. "This training helps all RAMS personnel and medevac crews to not only work together as a team but it keeps us proficient on all assigned tasks required to complete the mission."
| Date Taken: | 04.27.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2006 15:31 |
| Story ID: | 6149 |
| Location: | ALI BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 527 |
| Downloads: | 18 |
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