First responders prep for worst

Transcription

1 Multi-National Division Baghdad First Team...Team First Saturday, March 14, 2009 First responders prep for worst By Sgt. 1st Class Ron Burke, MND-B PAO Sgt. Sergio Soto, from Lafayette, Col., 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, stays focused on his monitor and prepares a bag valve mask that will maintain his casualty s airway. Spc. Laura Johnson MND-B PAO CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq With loudspeakers sounding an alarm, a corner of Pad 4 at Camp Liberty transformed into a dire scene. Fifteen Soldiers, acting as victims, lay scattered across the ground, crying out in pain from simulated chest wounds, amputations, abdominal injuries and a myriad of other trauma scenarios. The March 6 exercise tested the Soldiers with 326th Area Support Group, Taskforce Jayhawk, and the capabilities of Victory Base Complex Command s emergency services teamwork, response and reaction to By Sgt. 1st Class Ron Burke, MND-B PAO Sgt. Bridget Cruz-Bianchi (left foreground), from Bainbridge, Ga., and Spc. Kailey Good (left background), from Muncie, In., both combat medics attached to 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, get a long spine board ready as three firefighters from the Victory Base Complex Fire Dept. prepare to log roll a casualty for transport to the closest troop medical center during a March 6 MASCAL exercise. indirect fire events. We want to replicate reality as best as we can, said Maj. William Vanden Bergh, operations officer for the 326th ASG, who helped coordinate the exercise. Moments after the alarm sounded, distant sirens from the Rapid Response Team vehicles were heard making their way to the scene. Their job is to secure the area and provide first aid until medical personnel arrive on scene. We re in the vehicles driving around 24 hours a day, said Patrick Connolly, a contractor with the RRT. Whenever an incident of any kind happens, we go straight to that scene and cordon it off. Because we re usually the first ones on the scene, giving medical attention is primary, but without the proper equipment you can only do so much, said Christopher Ilardi, a medic for the RRT from Memphis. But, that kind of help and equipment isn t far behind. Within moments, firefighters and medics arrived and to assess and triage victims. Teams shout out codes and colors that categorized the victims into medical priorities. Using stretchers or bud- See RESPONDERS Pg. 2

2 PAGE 2 March 14, 2009 Sweating the small stuff Sgt. Joshua Risner MND-B PAO BAGHDAD Soldiers preparing for a rotation to Iraq train to combat snipers and improvised explosive devices. Soldiers learn convoy operations, weapons familiarization and first aid to be ready for whatever might come their way. They have trained for the big things, but sometimes it s the little things that can be just as important and just as hazardous. Soldiers of the 1848th Medical Detachment s preventative medicine section spend their time focusing on the details to provide proactive health services at Victory Base Complex. Our goal here at [Preventative Medicine] is to try to ensure that as few people as possible get sick, said Capt. Michael Klaus, executive officer, 1848th Med. Det. Three key points of preventative health for Soldiers in Iraq are animal awareness, hygiene and proper diet, according to Staff Sgt. Delbert Draper, noncommissioned officer in charge, 1848th Med. Det. Mass casualty exercises to validate new contingency plan RESPONDERS, From Pg 1 dy-carries, response team members separated and moved victims into a casualty collection point. According to VandenBergh, all of this activity is what the exercise is about. The end result is to work together, coordinate between response teams, clear the area and get victims to the nearest medical facility. That is a goal that seems to be shared by all the players. The purpose of this is to know how to correspond with other organizations, to get the patients out as quick as possible and as safe as possible, said firefighter Tarren Smith, a native of Houston who works for White Fire Emergency Services. By Sgt. Joshua Risner, 211th MPAD, MND-B Staff Sgt. Seth Odette, 1848th Medical Detachment s preventative medicine section, removes the collecting unit from a Center for Disease Control miniature light trap to catch mosquitoes, sand flies and other flying insects. Don t feed the animals There are several creatures living in and around the bases and outposts that can be potentially hazardous to Soldiers, according to Delbert, who has more than twenty years of experience in his field. However, that doesn t mean that every animal encountered is a threat. We need to understand the difference between the rodents and bugs we see and what s a medical threat, said Draper, from Anchorage, Alaska. It is the ones that come inside that are the threat, because the And for this exercise, safety is at the Riva Ridge Troop Medical Clinic. At Riva Ridge, combat medics shift into high gear. It is an extension of the controlled chaos seen at Pad 4, with medical staff barking out a mix of medical and military jargon. And although the location has changed, the goal is still the same assess and take care of victims as quickly and efficiently as possible. This is why we train, just in case a realworld situation happens we will be prepared for the influx of patients that come, said Sgt. Jason Lucas, a combat medic from Bronx, N.Y., of Company C, 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. Two hours after the mass casualty exercise began; medics at Riva Ridge put the final touches on trauma dressings and other diseases they can get, we can get. Insects can pose a threat to Soldiers mainly by spreading diseases such as malaria and leishmaniasis, a potentially disfiguring skin disease. Mosquitoes, sand flies and other flies are the big concern, according to Draper. Contractors spray to kill them, but even with control measures, we can t kill every mosquito and sand fly, said Klaus. He added that the best way to practice prevention is proper wear of the uniform with diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) insect repellent as well as upkeep in buildings and housing areas. Keep your doors and screens closed; if it s broke, get it fixed, Draper stressed. The presence of potentially harmful pests doesn t mean that every bug in the air is harmful, according to Klaus, who calls Yakima, Wash., home. The clouds of midges that swarm around the lakes and canals those are not mosquitoes they aren t going to hurt you, he said, referring to the small flying insects many people mistake for mosquitoes. Rodents are another annoyance as well as a potential vector for disease, including bubonic plague, according to Klaus. They come into housing seeking shelter from the heat and an easy meal. Tell-tale signs of a rodent infestation include the presence of See STUFF Pg. 2 injuries. Back on Pad 4, firefighters washed down concrete walls to decontaminate the area, and the RRT packed up their first aid bags and gathered up the yellow caution tape used to cordon off the simulated impact site. Victims removed their simulated injuries, wiped off their bruise make up and headed back to their regular duties. Now the real work for VandenBergh and his staff begins. According to Vanden- Bergh, the Base Command will conduct an after action review to find what went well and what areas need more effort. Within the next month, there will be more mass casualty exercises to validate the new synchronized contingency plan. But the goal still remains the same working together to save lives.

3 PAGE 3 March 14, 2009 One aspect of personal hygiene neglected the most is dental STUFF, From Pg 2 droppings and evidence of gnawing. The best way to keep rodents out of your living quarters is to keep it clean, said Draper. If you do find evidence of rodents in your living quarters, call [the billeting contractors] and they will take care of it. The presence of rodents will attract predators that feed on them, namely snakes. There are a few species of venomous snakes in the general area that might follow in the wake of a rodent infestation, according to Draper, who mentioned a recent incident at al-asad Air Base. Someone found a cobra in a toilet, he said. Thankfully it was seen before anyone sat on it. Dogs are potentially dangerous inhabitants also. They can carry rabies, and the parasites living on them such as fleas and ticks can carry an assortment of diseases. General Order Number One prohibits keeping animals as pets or mascots. A good rule of thumb: if it doesn t come when you call it, don t touch it, Draper urged. It s not a good dog; it s not a family pet. Keep it clean Cleanliness, another aspect of preventative medicine, is not always easy in the combat zone but should not be ignored. Some Soldiers get here and adopt a conception that the regular rules are off, he said. They think that because they are in the field, that hygiene can be put on the back burner. Cav Round-Up radio newscast available MND-B PAO BAGHDAD The Cav Round-Up is a three-minute radio newscast from Baghdad covering military units and events across Multi-National Division Baghdad. Today s Cav Round-Up No. 23 was produced by Sgt. Lisa Heise, MND-B Public Affairs Office. The March 13th newscast includes the following three stories: A big part of basic cleanliness is hand washing before eating and after using the latrine. Bacteria can be transmitted from hands to food and introduced into the body when this food is eaten, Draper explained. Hand sanitizer helps, but it is no excuse to skip hand washing. Dental hygiene is the aspect of personal hygiene most often neglected, Draper said. The mouth is the first line of defense from diseases, he explained. When you neglect to brush your teeth, bacteria populations multiply in your mouth, making it harder for the natural defenses to keep up. Clothing also needs to be kept clean to provide proper hygiene. Skin rashes and diseases can come from wearing dirty clothes, Draper said with a hint of distaste. Plus it stinks. Insects are attracted to those smells; DEET might not help at that point. Drink water and eat right With the temperature starting to rise, heat casualties will become a concern. Hydration is a must when the mercury climbs to the top of the thermometer, but diet cannot be disregarded, Draper explained. How you eat is extremely important, he said. The two minerals we need the most in hot weather are potassium to help our body store water and sodium chloride [salt] to help release water in the form of sweat. There isn t a lot of potassium in a hamburger or a steak, so you might have to eat something you might not want, such as vegetables. He went on to explain that an intensified workout regime doesn t cancel out increased intake of 1. Ask and you shall receive: A Multi-National Division Soldier asks NBA basketball teams for basketballs. The Detroit Pistons respond, and the donated basketballs give Iraqi and U.S. Engineers a reason to play ball. 2. MND-B and ISF soldiers find a weapons cache of 75 bags of explosives found northwest of Baghdad. 3. New school opens with art center in Baghdad which just a dream for students a few years ago. By Sgt. Joshua Risner, 211th MPAD, MND-B Denver native, Staff Sgt. Seth Odette, 1848th Medical Detachment s preventative medicine section, inspects an insect under a dissection microscope. Any mosquitoes and sand flies he identifies will be sent off to U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine. sugary foods, which can lead to future health problems like diabetes. There s what you can do and what the Army can do, said Draper. Many ailments and potential hazards facing Soldiers today can be prevented with a few precautions and safeguards. He added that the responsibility for the majority of preventative practices falls on the individual. Perhaps getting sick is a little less scary than getting a combat injury but it can be just as serious. Go online to the following links for instant access to the Cav Round-Up and other products. NIPR LINK: Cav Round-Up SIPR LINK: Cav Round-Up Check out other MND-B products, such as the weekly 1st Team Update video news program, and the latest print stories at the 1st Cavalry Division s homepage:

4 PAGE 4 March 14, 2009 Practicing one-armed diplomacy By Sgt. Ryan Nolan 56th SBCT, 28th Inf. Div. BAGHDAD The Secretary of the Army declared 2009 to be the Year of the NCO. the non commissioned officer is often said to be backbone of the U.S. Army. While officers have the responsibility to plan the mission and objectives, it is the sergeant that has the responsibility to execute that mission and see to its success. It is obvious that these duties include leading men into combat, but the NCO s list of titles also include counselor, coach, and, as of late, diplomat. When people think of diplomacy, they automatically think of efforts to create peace and friendship between two nations on the large scale. However, diplomacy is also being handled on a much smaller scale by NCO s; one on one, everyday with Iraqis. During a lunch meeting with Sheik Nadeem, a local Iraqi leader, Sgt. Frank DuBeck, from Harrisburg, Pa., was awarded a unique opportunity to wear his diplomatic hat. I was outside standing guard when one of my guys came up to me and said the Sheik s oldest son wanted to wrestle me, DuBeck said. At first I was confused. Why does this guy want to wrestle? As the DuBeck entered Sheik s home, he realized what was really in store. Everyone was gathered in a By 1st Lt. Justin Cassidy, 56th SBCT, 28th Inf. Div. Sgt. Frank DuBeck (right), 2nd Battalion, 104th Cavalry Squadron, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, accepts an arm wrestling challenge from the son of a local Iraqi Sheik. The Harrisburg, Pa. native discovered that diplomacy comes in all shapes and sizes. circle around a little table. Then I realized they were talking about arm wrestling, DuBeck, a weight-lifting aficionado said. I thought, this looks like a big dude, but the squadron commander said it s okay to win, so I thought, man, I better win! The two men shook hands and kneeled down at the table. A crowd of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi s grouped around the competitors, cheering and laughing as the match began. Both athletes used all of their effort, but in the end it was DuBeck who came out on top. In the end, there were no hard feelings, only respect for one another. The two men stood up, shook hands and executed the sacred bro-hug, a one arm shoulder hug. Even though the diplomatic efforts of the day were based on competition, a friendly atmosphere was maintained. It was cool; everyone was happy and joking around. The Iraqi s even congratulated me. DuBeck said proudly. The true story here is not about a competition between two men, but rather a testament to the mutual respect being forged between the men of 2nd Battalion, 104th Cavalry Squadron and the Iraqi people. In the end, it s Soldiers, like Sgt. DuBeck, who work everyday to make Iraq a safer place; anyway they can. Iraqi citizen alerts patrol to explosives near Abu Ghraib 2nd HBCT PAO, 1st Inf. Div. BAGHDAD Acting on a tip from a concerned local citizen, Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division Baghdad Soldiers discovered a pair of explosives west of Baghdad Mar. 12. While conducting joint operations, Iraqi Army soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division partnered with Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, MND-B responded to resident s call after finding two grenades. The patrol immediately cordoned off the area and requested assistance from an Iraqi explosive ordinance disposal team. Iraqi Explosive Ordnance Disposal conducted a controlled detonation of the device in a safe location.

5 PAGE 5 March 14, 2009 On This Day In Military History On this day, March 14, in 1969, a Navy officer s courageous actions on the battlefield in Vietnam earned him the Medal of Honor. Lt. Joseph R. Kerrey was leading a Navy SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy s area political cadre on an island in the bay of Nha Trang. Lt. Kerrey and his team claimed a 350-foot cliff to place themselves above the ledge where the enemy was located. As Lt. Kerrey and his team began the treacherous climb downward toward the enemy, the enemy directed intense fire at them. Lt. Kerrey received massive injuries from a grenade that exploded at his feet and threw him backward onto jagged rocks. Although badly wounded, Lt. Kerrey continued to lead his men in the assault, directing his element s fire into the enemy camp. Lt. Kerrey called in firepower from the second element of his team, which caught the Viet Cong fighters in a devastating crossfire. Lt. Kerrey continued to provide instructions to his men, despite his near unconscious state. The enemy soldiers who were captured as a result of Lt. Kerrey s attack provided critical intelligence to the allied effort. Lt. Kerrey was later elected governor of the state of Nebraska and a U.S. Senator. Iraq 3-Day Weather Report Today 78 F 55 F Tomorrow 71 F 53 F Kerrey Monday 71 F 50 F David Letterman s Top Ten Signs You re Watching Too Much NCAA 10. At dinner, you make guests tip off for every pork chop. 9. You seed your children based on how much you love them. 8. You name your child Gonzaga. 7. Just checked into rehab to kick $500-a-day nacho cheese addiction. 6. Lots of people can name players you can name some of the fans sitting behind the bench. 5. Constantly asking, What would Michigan State coach Tom Izzo do? 4. Snack plus lack of activity equals sweet sixteen chins. 3. You have visions which force you to sculpt your mashed potatoes into a bust of Greg Gumbel. 2. Kick everyone s tail in Scrabble by putting Krzyzewski on triple word score. 1. You ll watch anything leathery and orange on TV even David Letterman.

6 PAGE 6 March 14, 2009 Pvt. Murphy by Mark Baker Quote For Today The best way to inspire people to superior performance is to convince them by everything you do and by your everyday attitude that you are wholeheartedly supporting them. Harold S. Geneen American businessman, former president of ITT Corporation PEGASUS OASIS DFAC HOURS BREAKFAST 0530 TO 0830 LUNCH 1130 TO 1330 DINNER 1700 TO 2000 MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 TO 0100 SUNDAY ONLY BRUNCH 0730 to 1330 DINNER 1700 to 2000 MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 to 0100 Trigger s Teasers The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. There are three very simple constraints to follow: Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9. Every Sudoku game begins with a number of squares already filled in, and the difficulty of each game is largely a function of how many squares are filled in. The more squares that are known, the easier it is to figure out which numbers go in the open squares. As you fill in squares correctly, options for the remaining squares are narrowed and it becomes easier to fill them in. Yesterday s Answers Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Philip Smith Public Affairs Chief: Master Sgt. Nicholas Conner Editor: Spc. Jon Soles Staff Writers: Sgt. 1st Class Ron Burke Sgt. 1st Class Joel Quebec Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp Staff Sgt. Peter Ford Sgt. Joshua Risner Spc. Howard Alperin Spc. Laura Johnson Spc. Phillip Adam Turner The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of The Daily Charge are not official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of the Army, or the 1st Cavalry Division. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army, the 1st Cavalry, or The Daily Charge of the products and services advertised. All editorial content of The Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Multi-National Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office. Do you have a story to share? The Daily Charge welcomes columns, commentaries, articles, letters and photos from readers. Submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs NCOIC nicholas.conner@mnd-b.army.mil and include author s name, rank, unit and contact information. The Daily Charge reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the paper. For further information on deadlines, questions, comments or a request to be on our distribution list, the Editor at jon. soles@mnd-b.army.mil