First responders hone skills during realistic training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE S.D. --  Medical personnel from the 28th Medical Operations Squadron and firefighters from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron honed their first-responder skills during a joint training session here Oct. 19, 2011.

This is the second time Ellsworth first responders utilized the Simulation In Motion-South Dakota training, which is sponsored by the State of South Dakota. The training classes last approximately three hours and incorporate both traditional classrom and active hands-on training involving Human Patient Simulators.

"We absolutely love this training because it's so lifelike and realistic," said Aaron Wilke, 28th CES lead fire captain. "[The simulator] breathes, talks, bleeds, cries and talks to you--it's pretty amazing."

According to a SIM-SD fact sheet, the entire SIM-SD program includes three mobile learning labs and two outreach vehicles, each equipped with the simulators. It's designed to help emergency healthcare personnel better prepare, educate themselves and consequently provide better emergency care. Emergency healthcare personnel across the state can request the training, which is free of charge.

"This was really good for me, because the other training I've been through was done with just a dummy," said Senior Airman Yvette Gonzales, 28th MDOS aerospace medical technician. "It was pretty basic, it wasn't really hands on. This will definitely help me because I've been an EMT for three years, but I haven't had to use my skills ... I've been a clinical technician, but haven't had to deal with people in situations like that--yet ... they've always been prepackaged at the clinic."

Another aspect of the training was the relationship between firefighters and medical personnel here. While this was an excellent opportunity to train together, their teamwork is nothing new--Ellsworth first responders live together. The vehicle bays in the base fire station house not only fire equipment, but ambulances as well. And when an emergency happens, they race to the scene together.

"This training will not only enable our medics and fire guys to work better together, but I think it gives them more realistic scenarios than maybe we can duplicate in the firehouse," Wilke said. "Our patients will definitely see benefit from that."