MCLB Barstow Fire Trains Trainers in Unified Response to Violent Incidents

Officers with the Marine Corps Police Department provide protections for fire and medical personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services Department as they extract role-playing victims during an active shooter training exercise aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., Feb. 24, 2015. The training included controllers and evaluators who rated the response capabilities and efficiency of emergency response personnel. It is an example of the teamwork required by fire and law enforcement personnel in order to effectively respond to violent incidents.

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow
Story by Laurie Pearson

With a rise in active shooter scenarios across the united states, Greg Kunkel, chief of Emergency Medical Services and Ryan Tworek, deputy fire chief aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. have taken on new roles, training others to train their own first responding staff on Unified Response to Violent Incidents throughout Marine Corps Installations West, as well as civilian locations in the south-western United States.
Unified Response to Violent Incidents is a course in which first responders, to include members of the law enforcement community, fire, medical and military train in a cohesive method of response to events such as active shooters and terrorist attacks, explained Kunkel. Specifically, the training addresses team coordination in areas such as Rescue Task Force, group-ingress, group-egress, and Casualty Collection Points.
A Rescue Task Force embeds fire and medical personnel with Force Protection members surrounding them so that they may enter an area, referred to as the warm zone, to extract wounded victims. Upon entry, (fire and medical personnel) are trained to evaluate and treat bleeding control, basic airway adjuncts and needle thoracotomies,” said Kunkel. “The group then retreats to a Casualty Collection Point where other personnel take victims for treatment, while the RTF goes back in.”
The training mirrors the National Incident Management System with Unified Command training which is a standardized training developed by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“The training ensures agencies are compatible with radios, language and terminology,” said Kunkel. He further explained that this type of training allows for faster medical treatment for injured victims of tragic events, which offers an opportunity to decrease the number of fatalities and permanent injuries as a result of violent attacks.
So far, Kunkel and Tworek have gone to nearly all of the bases within MCI-West to train their trainers in this method of response to violent incidents. They have also assisted with training in local communities to include a joint training session with Barstow Unified School District, Barstow Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriffs and Barstow Fire District. Most recently, they traveled to the Mountain Warfare Training Center located near Bridgeport, Calif. where they trained 95 students over three days. Students attending this particular training session included individuals from the California Highway Patrol, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, as well as fire fighters and medical first responders from several volunteer fire departments in Central California.

Secretary of the Air Force visits Soto Cano

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James poses for a photo with Airmen stationed at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, Apr. 8, 2016. James visited the base to discuss her priorities in the Southern Command area of responsibility and discuss issues relevant to the force, including retirement, force size and structure, the budget and taking care of people. (U.S. Army photo by Martin Chahin/Released)

Joint Task Force Bravo
Story by Capt. Christopher Mesnard

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- The men and women of Joint Task Force-Bravo hosted Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James Apr. 8, 2016, at Soto Cano Air Base, as she wrapped up her visit to various units in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

James used her time during the visit to meet with Airmen of the 612th Air Base Squadron and other members of JTF-Bravo, to discuss the importance the base plays in the Central and South American regions.

"It's no secret that the bulk of the resources and attention goes to the Middle East because of issues like Daesh, or to Europe because of Russia, or the Pacific because of what's happening in the South China Sea" said James. "Here in the SOUTHCOM AOR we're getting fewer people and fewer dollars on the ground, but, you're really making those resources go a long way, proving that a little bit, does go a long way."

After arriving, James attended a discussion on the SOUTHCOM mission in Central America, covering topics including multi-national firefighter training to build partner nation capacity, support to counter-drug operations, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief capabilities the base either supports or facilitates.

Additionally, James took time during the visit to talk with Airmen assigned to JTF-Bravo to discuss force-wide issues she's looking to address, including force size and structure, the new retirement system, the budget, and taking care of people.

Overall, the primary focus of James' visit centered on the Airmen, expressing her gratitude for their service as they explained how they support the SOUTHCOM mission at various work stations around the base.

"It is an honor and privilege to be able to stand here with you at Soto Cano," said James. "The mission you have at Joint Task Force-Bravo directly effects our safety and security back home as well as that of our partner nations here."

Nevada Air Guard unit receives MAFFS wildland firefighting mission

A 152nd Airlift Wing C-130 flies over the Sierra mountain range near Lake Tahoe.

152 Airlift Wing
Story by Tech. Sgt. Emerson Marcus

RENO - The 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada National Guard, is set to begin the process of outfitting its C-130 aircraft with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) equipment for large-scale wildland firefighting missions around the nation, the National Guard Bureau announced this week.
The development of the MAFFS mission in Reno brings large-scale wildland firefighting capabilities to a Guard unit located in the largest national forest in the lower 48 states - the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest - prone to massive fires in recent years.
"The 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada National Guard is the best choice to fulfill the MAFFS mission due to their aircrew experience and geographic area response capability," the bureau said in a statement this week.
The 152nd will become one of four units nationwide with C-130 aircraft outfitted with MAFFS. The 152nd has worked its airlift mission with C-130s since 1996.
"The High Rollers of the 152nd Airlift Wing are more than capable of executing this mission," Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said. "This is good for the unit, the state, recently fire-ravaged western regions and the nation."
Since 1974, MAFFS - a fire retardant delivery system inserted into C-130 aircraft - has been a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Defense.
The U.S. Forest Service owns MAFFS equipment and supplies retardant for firefighting. The Department of Defense provides C-130 aircraft, flight crews, and maintenance and support personnel to fly missions. MAFFS delivers surge capability that can be used to boost wildfire suppression efforts. The equipment can discharge up to 3,000 gallons - 28,000 pounds - of retardant in less than five seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long and 60 feet wide. Once discharged, it can be refilled and airborne in less than 20 minutes.
"Nevada is in a perfect location to service the vast majority of Western states due to its central location," Nevada National Guard Adjutant General Brig. Gen. William Burks said. "This is huge for the High Rollers and shows that all of their hard work throughout the entire organization pays benefits in the long run."
The 152nd is scheduled to begin the transition with U.S. Forest Service MAFFS training on May 1 at Channel Islands, Calif.
The transition is expected to take three to five fire seasons as the unit trains and prepares for the mission, the bureau said.
A planned conversion of an existing MAFFS unit, the 145th Airlift Wing,
North Carolina Air National Guard from the C-130 to the C-17, prompted the bureau to evaluate existing C-130 Air National Guard units for a suitable replacement for the MAFFS mission.
All National Guard C-130 units were considered, the bureau said.
The other units involved in the mission are: the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard; the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard and the 302nd Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserves.
"This is a critical and challenging mission we've wanted for many years
now," said Col. Karl Stark, the commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing. "We are more than capable and ready for the responsibility this mission brings."

NSAB Recognizes Its Dispatch Center Professionals

Sarah Leggate, an emergency dispatcher, answers a call during a shift April 1 on Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB). NSAB recognizes its telecommunication personnel in the public safety community during the annual week that celebrates and thanks those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman William Phillips/Released)

Naval Support Activity Bethesda
Courtesy Story

Each year, the second week of April is recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week. This week is a nationally-recognized opportunity for citizens and co-workers alike to show their appreciation for professionals in the field of Public Safety Communications. The week-long event was initiated in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County, Calif. Sheriff’s Office, but eventually grew to be nationally recognized. The public safety telecommunications group encompasses everyone involved from the first moment a call is connected to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), until help has physically arrived and the last line has been disconnected.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s (NSAB) Emergency Services Dispatch Center is a Federal Communications Commission-registered PSAP and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. During 2015 alone, NSAB’s Dispatch Center staff answered and dispatched Fire & Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units to more than 2,240 fire, rescue, and medical call incidents, with even more calls requiring NSAB Police and security forces assistance and response.

“There is no measure to accurately describe the importance, that our telecommunication/emergency dispatchers provide us, day in and day out.” said Darryl C. Stanton Jr., NSAB chief of police. “Their contribution is the most integral part of the public safety foundation. Without their support and expertise, the emergency response process fails, our first responder’s lives would be in jeopardy and we would not be able to serve and protect our communities.”

Dispatch Center personnel are considered true ‘first responders.’ They are the first to respond to the needs of the public when they call in for assistance. Dispatch Center personnel project a calm demeanor to citizens and victims in distress. In high-stress situations, they are compassionate yet diligent in ascertaining important information necessary to provide to the responding units when time is of the essence. On NSAB, if you have ever dialed 7-7-7 to get help in an accident or an emergency, then a dispatcher has been on the phone to collect your information and get you help. A person who is a dispatcher must be patient, strong, understanding and work well under intense pressure or stressful situations.

“Dispatchers are critical members of the first responder community and they are the life blood of getting help to you when needed,” said John E. Gray III, district fire chief assigned to NSAB. “I rest easy at night knowing that our dispatchers are some of the best in the Navy, fielding the most emergency calls within Naval District Washington.”

Dispatchers are nationally certified through the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and complete courses in public safety telecommunication, fire service communications, emergency medical dispatch and active shooter incidents for public safety communication.

Although their jobs do not put them in ‘harm’s way,’ dispatchers make critical life-saving decisions on a regular basis. They take great pride regarding the welfare of our community members and keeping the police officers, security forces and firefighters of NSAB safe. Coordinating helicopter landings for medical evacuations, dispatching police/fire and EMS units, sending Everbridge emergency notifications and monitoring security alarms are just a few of the various other tasks they manage on a daily basis. We rely on their knowledge and professionalism as they make critical decisions, obtain information, and quickly dispatch needed aid for any situation that may arise.

These dedicated men and women are more than anonymous voices on the telephone line or radio channels. These individuals work tirelessly to ensure that when others need help, someone answers the call.

Cutting Cars; Air National Guard Units Conduct Basic Vehicle Extrication Training

Airman 1st Class Kevin Marin of the 101st Airlift Wing Fire Department, Maine Air National Guard, utilizes a Hurst spreader to open a vehicle door during basic vehicle extrication training exercises at the 165th Airlift Wing's Regional Fire Training Facility in Savannah, Ga. on April 6th, 2016. Airmen from the Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont Air National Guard Fire Departments are conducting training exercises together to maintain operational readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andrew J. Merlock/Released)

177th Fighter Wing – NJ Air National Guard
Story by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Merlock

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Airmen from Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont Air National Guard Fire Departments conducted basic vehicle extrication training exercises here at the 165th Airlift Wing's Regional Fire Training Facility in Savannah, Ga. on April 6, 2016.

The training provided practical, hands-on exercises focusing on softening, a term used to describe the prying of doors and other openings, and stabilizing a vehicle in addition to the deployment and use of extrication tools.

"Take it all in, make good sound decisions and take into account the safety of your crew," explained Tech. Sgt. Brandon Sotter, Assistant Chief of Operations for the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, who was instructing the vehicle softening portion of the exercise. "We didn't make the scene that way, we're just trying to make it better."

Airmen practiced the deployment and operation of cribbing tools to stabilize an overturned motor vehicle, in addition to Hurst spreaders and cutters, similar to the Jaws of Life. These tools are utilized by fire departments throughout the Air National Guard to prevent further injury and ultimately remove an entrapped victim of a motor vehicle accident.

"EMS is a large part of our job now," explained Senior Airman Colin Bellavance of the 158th Fighter Wing Fire Department, who also served as an instructor. "This is a big part of it, responding to scenes and providing assistance to patients in need."

The basic vehicle extrication training exercise is one of the many training sessions that the five Air National Guard Units will conduct together during the week at the 165th Regional Fire Training Facility.