375th MDG trains for emergency decontamination Published June 24, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Herard 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Despite the 89 degree weather with 50 percent humidity, 29 Airmen from the 375th Medical Group mastered their in-place patient decontamination skills last week. Whether it is a chemical attack, weapons of mass destruction or toxic industrial spill, Team Scott and the surrounding area can have confidence in the 375th MDG and their quick abilities to decontaminate people and take care of their medical needs. Civilian contractor, Battelle, trained the 375th MDG personnel June 17 and 18 to be decon experts. Battelle trains every Air Force medical facility and other facilities within the Department of Defense. Day one of training consisted of an eight-hour class session. "The classroom training included how the response scene should look, what are the different contamination agents out there, how to stabilize and take care of patients, different decontaminates and personal protective equipment," said Tom Bocek, Battelle instructor. The following day was the hands-on portion. "Once someone is suspected of coming in contact with a contaminant, the team has about 20 minutes to get the facility operational," said Master Sgt. Bryan Jordan, 375th Medical Operations Squadron minor procedure clinic NCOIC. "In about three hours we could decontaminate 100 people." Half of the team suited up, while the other half set up the decontamination facility. Once the first half was suited they relieved the other half to get suited. "Providing immediate medical assistance while in the decon suits poses some challenges," said Eddie McGee, Battelle instructor. "The gloves make it hard to feel for a pulse so they use blood pressure cuffs and the masks cause lack of peripheral vision and depth perception, so it is not what these guys are used to." During the simulation, the team then assessed the patient by performing first aid and using M-9 paper to determine which contaminant affected the patient. After stabilizing the patient, they have 10 seconds to cut the patients clothes and get them through the decon facility washing them with warm, soapy water. The decon facility is also capable of decontaminating ambulatory or litter patients. At the end of the line, the patient is patted down with M-9 paper again to ensure they are clean. Finally, the contaminant-free patient would be moved to the hospital for further treatment. "The team was mission capable in 9:29 minutes, the average is five to nine minutes, and the mission was complete in 14:32 minutes when the average is 10 to 15 minutes," said Mr. Bocek. "I consider it an achievement with the heat and humidity." Capt. Kimberly Morio, 375th Dental Squadron dentist, was one of the team members. "I learned a lot of information in a short amount of time," she said. "I learned to rely on my teammates to make it run smoothly." The exercise ended with the team learning how to properly put the equipment away and how to dispose of the hazardous waste. Each participant received a hazardous waste operations certificate. "We hope to continue this training quarterly," said Capt. Theodore Jackson, 375th DS dentist. "We also want to train about 20 people who live on base because if there were a contamination on base, the gates would be closed." Col. Jill Sterling, 375th MDG commander, congratulated the team and said, "you guys are all my heroes."