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Exercise provides life-saving skills, builds teamwork

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The skills of Ellsworth first responders were put to the test and evaluated during a week-long integrated base emergency response capabilities training exercise here May 19 to 23.

Gauged by the Alliance Solutions Group and Air Combat Command evaluators the training was designed to validate proficiency, teach innovative techniques and synchronize various on-scene and supporting capabilities to include command and control, hot-zone operations, decontamination, sampling, analysis and health risk assessment.

"During the week-long training we evaluated and graded how the responders handle each situation," said Lloyd Miller, ASG Inc. senior industrial hygienist and analyst. "We then send that information to ACC for them to assess."

ASG is a veteran-owned business that offers global emergency management, homeland security and defense, and environmental health and safety solutions to all levels of government.

"The ASG personnel were very knowledgable in all areas," said Staff Sgt. Kathleen Couillard, 28th Medical Operations Squadron bioenvironmental technician, who participated in the training exercise. "I learned a lot and feel as though I'm a better responder because of it."

Airmen from the 28th MDOS bioenvironmental engineering and emergency management sections partnered with the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron fire and emergency services to participate in the training.

"The program is valuable because it provides us realistic training that we need to be a much better prepared and equipped emergency response team," said Tech. Sgt. Timothy Bricker, 28th CES emergency management NCO in charge.

"It allows all responding agencies to work closely together and learn what each organization brings to the response," Bricker added.

Integrated base emergency response capabilities training is an annual event that not only evaluates emergency responders abilities, but also provides an opportunity for team building.

The results of the training exercise will be used to help ensure the base is as prepared as possible to respond to different events.