The training presented two scenarios for doctors, nurses and paramedics to demonstrate their ability to assess and act in preserving the lives of victims, said Capt. Pam Foley, 413th Civil Affairs BPRT team leader of essential services and infrastructure.
The scenarios simulated car accidents, because 80 to 90 percent of all hospital admissions in Iraq are from car accidents. Medical personnel trained on fractures, head and spine trauma, pelvic and abdominal injuries and burns during the exercise.
“The quick responders splinted the fractures and stopped the bleeding before loading them up and moving them inside the treatment facility,” said Foley. “Once inside, the doctors performed their specific duties such as placing airways, chest tubes and some advanced cardiac life support.”
"They have all done a wonderful job,” Foley said. “They knew exactly what to do in the given situations.”
Now that the four-day training is complete, the doctors, nurses and paramedics will train more medical personnel each month.
“I have confidence they will do a good job in continuing the training,” Foley said.
During the awards ceremony, Capt. Christina Buchner, 172nd Support Battalion commander told the first responders, “This has been an exciting four days. Not only was this training experience for you, it was also a training experience for us. It gave us the opportunity to see you at work in your environment.”
“We have conducted many training exercises around Iraq,” Buchner, a Brooklyn, N.Y. native continued, “and this has been the best so far.”
“Thank you very much for your patience, knowledge and intellect you have brought to this exercise,” she commented. “We hope to work with you again in the future.”
