Medical Strike Team Deploys for Governor’s Inauguration
By Thom Schwalenberg NREMT-P
Original article printed in the March/April 2006 Response Newsletter, Tidewater EMS Council
On a wet and windy January 14, 2006, the Commonwealth of Virginia inaugurated its 70th Governor in historic Colonial Williamsburg. Also on this date, the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Strike Team (HRMMST) conducted its first operational deployment. At the request of the City of Williamsburg, the team’s mission was to assist the city and its neighbors with patient triage, treatment, and transport coordination in the event of a mass casualty event. Prior to the inauguration, extensive planning was done in conjunction with the City of Williamsburg to ensure a timely and coordinated HRMMST response if needed.
The day began with the arrival of both the Peninsula and Southside HRMMST equipment trailers. The trailers had been recently equipped with patient treatment kits, communications, logistical, and team command and control equipment. The County of York Department of Fire and Life Safety and the City of Norfolk Department of Fire and Rescue worked diligently with HRMMRS staff to get the trailers ready for this event. Along with the equipment trailers, the team also deployed with the Peninsula HRMMST Communications Trailer, and the Peninsula Mass Casualty Trailer.
Seventy-eight Strike Team personnel were rostered for the event and divided into two operational teams (primary and back up). The team assembled for a briefing by Strike Team Commander Tracey Hanger (Hampton Fire Department), Deputy Team Commander Michael Brooks (Norfolk Fire-Rescue), and HRMMRS Training Specialist Thomas Schwalenberg (York County Fire and Life Safety). The briefing explained in detail the operational plan if the Strike Team was activated to respond into the Inauguration Event. At 10:00 a.m., as the briefing concluded, the HRMMST informed the City of Williamsburg Unified Command Post that it was assembled, operational, and standing by to receive a mission.
The deployment served to prepare the Strike Team for operational readiness and provided time for hands-on training. During the day, team personnel attended several training sessions to enhance familiarity with the HRMMST equipment cache. Part of this training included regional WMD antidote kits. The personnel went through additional didactic training to enhance what they had previously learned in their on-line training course. Then they had the opportunity to examine the kits and ask questions of HRMMRS staff. Personnel also trained with the decontamination tent sets that are carried on the Strike Team trailers and are located in all hospitals throughout the region. Personnel were trained on how to assemble the tents and put them into operation in a quick and efficient manner.
Other training included computer and satellite communications system in operation on each trailer. The system allows the HRMMST to coordinate its activities with other response agencies, public health, and hospitals. Additionally, it allows the team to gather real time medical information to assist the local incident commander with the mitigation of the medical aspects of a particular incident. This system, combined with the team radio equipment, ensures connectivity and interoperability with the local incident commander and other regional assets.
The Williamsburg deployment and training for the Strike Team was a huge success. Fortunately, no real world emergency occurred. The exercise allowed members to become familiar with the equipment and communications cache and it allowed team members from all 16 Hampton Roads Planning District Commission jurisdictions to come together and train as a team. This event will be the catalyst for many more such exercises and deployments to ensure that the HRMMST is ready and able to assist local jurisdictions in their time of need.
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