Babil First Responders Receive Training

Iraqi medical personnel recently trained with soldiers of the 413th Civil Affairs Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team and 172nd Support Battalion, 172nd Infantry Brigade during the Babil First Responders Course at the Babil Rehabilitation Center in Al Hillah, Iraq.

The training presented two scenarios for 14 doctors and 16 nurses and paramedics to demonstrate their ability to assess and act in preserving the lives of victims, says Capt. Pam Foley, 413th Civil Affairs BPRT team leader of essential services and infrastructure.

The scenarios simulated car accidents, because 80%--90% of all hospital admissions in Iraq are from car accidents. Medical personnel trained on fractures, head and spine trauma, pelvic and abdominal injuries and burns during the exercise.

"The quick responders splinted the fractures and stopped the bleeding before loading them up and moving them inside the treatment facility," says Foley. "Once inside, the doctors performed their specific duties such as placing airways, chest tubes and some advanced cardiac life support."

"They have all done a wonderful job," Foley says. "They knew exactly what to do in the given situations."

Now that the four-day training is complete, the doctors, nurses and paramedics will train more medical personnel each month.

"I have confidence they will do a good job in continuing the training," Foley says.

During the awards ceremony, Capt. Christina Buchner, 172nd Support Battalion commander told the first responders, "This has been an exciting four days. Not only was this training experience for you, it was also a training experience for us. It gave us the opportunity to see you at work in your environment."

"We have conducted many training exercises around Iraq," Buchner, a Brooklyn, NY, native continued, "and this has been the best so far."

For more information, contact the Multi-National Division, South Public Affairs at MND-S_PAO@iraq.centcom.mil. For more MND-S news, visit www.TheRedBulls.org.