Airmen assist Arizona agencies in medical exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TUCSON, Ariz. --  Airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., volunteered to assist local emergency responders during the Tucson Metropolitan Medical Response Systems exercise held Nov. 10.

Metropolitan Medial Response System exercises enable local emergency agencies to practice responding to public health emergencies that create mass casualties.

Approximately 65 volunteers from the base acted as casualties during the TMMRSE.

"I thought this would be a good opportunity to show support for the local community," said Staff Sgt. Ariel Maldonado, 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron support section supervisor. "As a member of the military, I recognize the value of an exercise and I was glad for the opportunity to help out."

The lead controller of the exercise, Mr. Robert Loano, NorthWest Fire Department, briefed participants on the script. According to the scenario, they were attending a Mexico vs. United States soccer game. Also in attendance were members of the Mexican consulate. A terrorist, driven by political fervor, detonated a bomb in the stadium and they were to act as the casualties.

Exercise coordinators tried to make the setting as authentic as possible.

"You're going to hear a loud boom and then see smoke from the simulated explosion," Loano told volunteers. "We want everyone to make as much noise as possible. If your leg is broken, make them carry you. If you're dead, don't talk to them."

Participants were given cue cards listing their various injuries and limitations.

"My card said that I sustained a major injury to my right tibia or fibula and I could not walk on my own," said Airman 1st Class Cody States, 355th EMS weapons section journeyman. "Two firefighters helped me hop out of the stadium on one leg."

The TMMRSE was designed to allow local emergency agencies to practice full-scale scenarios of events that don't occur on a day to day basis.

"When a mass casualty incident occurs, the local agencies need to be able to contain the situation and save as many lives as they can until federal or government assistance can arrive," said Mr. Casey Justen, Tucson Fire Department battalion chief and the director of TMMRSE. "We don't get experience with these types of events because they almost never occur. Exercises like this are a way to familiarize ourselves with the proper procedures and identify our strengths and weaknesses."