Alabama Guardsmen rescue ‘survivors’ during difficult night training mission

Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Mathew Blythe and Spc. Timothy Reynolds, both from the 1152nd Fire Fighting Detachment, 877th Engineer Battalion, 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based out of Fort McClellan, Ala., put a “T-shore” into place, Aug. 9, to stabilize a potentially unstable parking garage during Vibrant Response 13. T-shores are used to stabilize a potentially unstable structure before the soldiers can commence search and rescue operations. VR13 is a major incident exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S. Army North. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Baltos, Army North PAO)  

MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, INDIANA, UNITED STATES

08.14.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army North

By Staff Sgt. Corey Baltos
Army North PAO

MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, Ind. – In the aftermath of a simulated nuclear explosion, one of the most important tasks to perform is locating survivors, many of whom would be suffering not only from injuries but also from radiation exposure.

Such was the task for the chemical and medical soldiers from the Alabama National Guard as they conducted night search and rescue operations, Aug. 9, during Vibrant Response 13 at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana.

VR13 is a major incident exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S. Army North. More than 9,000 service members and civilians participated in training events at the various training areas and airfields in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. The exercise ran from July 26 through Aug. 13.

Searching for “survivors” in the daylight is difficult enough, but searching at night offered yet more urgency to an already daunting task.

“The scenario is that five days after a simulated nuclear attack on a major Midwest city, search and rescue teams have been sent in to a collapsed parking garage to rescue survivors,” said James Barkley, division chief for Golf Division, Civil Support Training Activity, Army North. “Once they have been rescued, they have to be decontaminated and given medical treatment.”

As night fell on Muscatatuck, cries from “injured” people could be heard streaming from a local parking garage. Thus it was up to the soldiers of the 1152nd Fire Fighting Detachment, 877th Engineer Battalion, 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based out of Fort McClellan, Ala., to commence the methodical process of rescuing “survivors” from the collapsed parking structure.
“Search and rescue operations are much more difficult at night because low visibility conditions make it difficult to see the survivors and to operate the saws, torches and other equipment needed to extract people,” said Lt. Col. John Lipscomb, commander of 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama National Guard, based out of Gadsden, Ala.

Before the soldiers were able to attempt to rescue those in need from the potentially unstable building, they first had to stabilize the structure by using a “T-shore” device.

“It is a very slow process to build a T-shore,” said Spc. Timothy Reynolds, 1152nd Fire Fighting Det. “It takes about 10 minutes to measure and build the T-shore and to put it in place. It is a very slow process – but our safety is important. We cannot help anyone if we are hurt.”

Once extracted the “victims” are moved to a decontamination area and examined by medical personnel.

The decon and medical exam portion of the exercise was conducted by the soldiers of the 1343rd Chemical Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade, out of Athens, Ala., along with the troops from the 128th Medical Company, 62nd Troop Command, out of Ashland, Ala.

The decon process is perhaps somewhat comparable to putting people through a car wash.

“The first thing we do at the decontamination site is to remove the person’s clothing and destroy the clothes,” said Spc. Dale Kucker, a chemical specialist with the 1343rd Chem. Company. “If they are ambulatory, they can remove their clothes themselves; otherwise, we cut the clothing off. Once the clothing has been removed, they move to a shower where the hazardous material is removed.”

Afterward, they are processed through a drying room and provided clean clothing before, once again, being tested for radiation levels. Once deemed “decontaminated,” they undergo an examination by medical personnel before moving on to a processing station where a team records their names, injuries and determines the category of care (expectant, delayed, immediate or minimal) needed for treatment.

“The categories are based upon their initial radiation levels as well as their medical issues,” said Spc. Demetruia Parker, 1343rd Chem. Company.

While the training may prove a challenge, it is specifically designed to enhance the soldiers capabilities if called upon to respond to a real-life situation.

“This training definitely opened our eyes to the potential situation we may have to operate in,” said Lipscomb. “It has also challenged us to use our capability to the fullest extent.”

• Date Taken: 08.14.2012
• Date Posted: 08.14.2012 17:41
• Story ID: 93222
• Location: MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, INDIANA, US