Monday, August 3, 2015

News: MOTCO firefighters train with Army Reserve Soldiers MILITARY OCEAN TERMINAL CONCORD, CA, US

MOTCO firefighters train with Army Reserve Soldiers
A MOTCO firefighter sprays water on a 441st Transportation Company (Seaport Operations) Soldier during a decontamination simulation on Military Ocean Terminal Concord, California, July 31, 2015. The 441st Transportation Company, based in New Orleans, Louisiana, participated in the Big Logistics-Over-The-Shore exercise, which involved a mock hazardous material scenario to learn the proper procedures to follow in a decontamination situation. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Hector Corea, 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment /Released)
Story by Sgt. Hector Corea

MILITARY OCEAN TERMINAL CONCORD, Calif. - Army Reserve Soldiers of the 441st Transportation Company (Seaport Operations), based in New Orleans, Louisiana, participated in a mock hazardous material decontamination scenario on Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO), California, July 31, 2015.

The Federal Fire Department Concord (MOTCO Fire) practiced their hazardous material decontamination procedures with the help of 441st Soldiers.

“We are working in conjunction with the 441st Soldiers here to help train our emergency services,” said Jonathan Blevin, deputy director of emergency services for MOTCO and emergency manager. “This is an internal test of our hazardous material capabilities.”

The mock scenario involved a cargo container that held a simulated corrosive agent. As part of the simulation, Soldiers of the 441st were exposed to a corrosive agent, and were required to undergo decontamination procedures before receiving medical care.

“When evaluating a possible decontamination scenario, we try to find out what happened, what the dangerous product is, and find all the variables at play,” said George Day, fire chief of the MOTCO fire department. “These decontamination procedures are paramount to the safety of Soldiers, to ensure they are able to receive proper medical care in the event of a spill or accident.”

The valuable lessons gained from the training went both ways. Soldiers of the 441st Transportation Company also learned the proper procedures to follow in a decontamination situation. This was in addition to the training 441st Soldiers received as part of the Big Logistics-Over-The-Shore, West exercise, designed to prepare Army Reserve Soldiers for seaport and harbor logistics operations that may be used for future expeditionary and contingency deployments. Ultimately, mock scenario helped the Soldiers for any future operations that involve hazardous material transport.

“This is a nice change of pace that gives us a chance to learn what it would be like if something like this were to ever happen,” said Spc. Jake Larson, a motor transport operator with the 441st Transportation Company and Mandeville, Louisiana, native. “It’s a win-win for us and for the MOTCO fire department.”
MOTCO firefighters train with Army Reserve Soldiers
Soldiers of the 441st Transportation Company (Seaport Operations) speak with a MOTCO fire department firefighter during a decontamination simulation on Military Ocean Terminal Concord, California, July 31, 2015. The 441st Transportation Company, based in New Orleans, Louisiana, participated in the Big Logistics-Over-The-Shore exercise, which involved a mock hazardous material scenario to learn the proper procedures to follow in a decontamination situation. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Hector Corea, 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment /Released)

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