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Saturday March 19, 2011
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Vol 1, Issue 3
Louisville, Ky.
Military Police Lend a Helping Hand Story by Army Sgt. Nazly Confesor 361st PAOC
Members of the 563rd Military Police Company from Fort Drum, N.Y., are conducting wellness checks in Louisville, Ky., in the aftermath of the devastating nuclear blast that ravaged the city. The unit. is tasked to measure contamination levels, provide medical assistance to those in need and ensure food and water are readily available to survivors. Military Police are one component of Joint Task Force Civil Support’s comprehensive efforts to assist local, state and federal authorities during recovery operations to save lives and enable community recovery. While the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of active duty military personnel in direct law enforcement activities, the Soldiers of the 563rd MP Co. provide critical support services, such as conducting wellness checks. The MPs are checking buildings and surrounding forests; they thoroughly check an abandoned buildings, room-by-room in search of survivors.
Army Pfc. Ian T. Wahlberg, 563rd MP Co., evacuates an injured displaced citizen who was located in a forested area on the outskirts of town during a wellness check.(Army photo by Spc. Clayton Stock, 361st PAOC)
For those who need immediate medical assistance, medics assigned to the 563rd provide on-site first aid and ambulatory care for those who are injured or dehydrated and transport them to the nearest medical facility around the area. “We are giving the local population the help they need, ” said Army 1st Lt. Brian Palmiotti, 563rd MP Co. Intelligence Support Team officer–in-charge. The MPs are taking preventive measures in keeping civilians and themselves safe from possible radiation by carrying Geiger Counter devices to detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation as they conduct wellness checks. The 563rd is proud to provide relief efforts through this time of crisis and will continue to provide humanitarian and emergency assistance until it is no longer needed. “I joined the Army to help the American people and this is what we are doing right now, “said Spc. Anthony V. Vitelli Army Staff Sgt. Julia Stearns (left) and Spc. Stephen Sprague (right), 563rd MP Co., evacuate two citizens from a building during a wellness III, a military policeman from the 563rd MP Co. “We are proud to serve the American public in this time of need.” check. (Army photo by Sgt. Nazly Confesor, 361st PAOC)
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Multi-Agency Relief Efforts Make Progess Story by Army Spc. Marc Heaton 361st PAOC
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om Watson, Commonwealth of Kentucky State Coordinating Officer; Glen Sachtleben, Incident Management Assistance Team Leader for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IV; and Army Lt. Col. Eric P. Shirley, commander of the 193rd Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., held a press conference at Hite Elementary School Thursday, covering all three organizations’ efforts in the search and rescue stage of the Kentucky terrorist attack relief and recovery efforts. All three reinforced the cooperation of the various agencies in the relief and recovery efforts. Army Lt. Col. Eric Shirley (center), Tom Watson (right ), Kentucky Coordinating Officer, “This is a disaster in terms of proportion and Glen Sachtleben (left), Assistant FEMA Region IV Team Leader, brief the media on that no American commonwealth, state or the joint efforts being made by local and federal agencies during the relief and recovcity has ever seen before,” Watson said. ery efforts inLouisville, Ky. (Army photo by Sgt. Peter Jun, 361st PAOC) “We’ve been knocked down. We’ve taken a body blow, but we are coming back up, we are beginning to rise the federal government and introduced Glen Sachtleben, the Inciback up.” dent Management Assistance Team Leader for FEMA Region IV. He continued by underscoring the efforts being made by the Sachtleben described the different resources and assets that the multiple agencies and numerous individuals assisting with the re- federal government has brought to the efforts in order to assist the covery efforts. state and local agencies in their relief and recovery efforts. He also “I want to recognize the thousands of heroes in the first respond- stressed that these federal resources remain dedicated to providing er category. They have gone out and worked very diligently to recovery support. save peoples’ lives,” Watson said. “We are making progress. How“We are pushing forward supplies, personnel and capabilities to ever, we have a lot of work still to do.” make the efforts continue at the same rapid pace that it has been Watson also touched on the cooperation the federal government going,” Sachtleben said. is providing in the relief and recovery efforts. Shirley reinforced the themes stated by both Watson and Sach“We are not alone in this effort, in this mission,” Watson said. tleben. The Department of Defense is working with and in support He said that President Obama has pledged the full resources of of the state and local efforts. “We are dedicated in playing our part in supporting the state’s recovery efforts, working hand in hand with the local, state and federal forces,” Shirley said. Shirley highlighted many of the successful missions that have been accomplished. These missions have included the delivery of essential STAFF medical supplies, potable water, conducting onCommander 361st PAOC: going maintenance for first responders and fuel Assistant Editor Lt. Col. John Dowling support for critical infrastructure. Spc. C. Terrell Turner Press Desk OIC: “We are Americans, serving Americans,” ShirPhotojournalists: Capt. Carlos Agosto ley said. Sgt. Nazly Confesor, Sgt. Christy Press Desk NCOIC Dispennette, Sgt. Gregory Williams, & Managing Editor: Sgt. Peter Jun, Spc. Marc Heaton, Staff Sgt. Christopher Pisano If you have a story or photos Pvt .1st Class Robert Grant JOINT TASK FORCE CIVIL SUPPORT is produced by the 361st Public Affairs Operations Center for Joint Task Force: Civil Support. This publication is printed under the provisions of and in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1 and does not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or the personnel within.
Saturday March 19, 2011
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you’re interested in publishing, please contact the 361st Public Affairs Operations Center at (703) 537-3853 or PAOC361@ yahoo.com. EXERCISE
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Military Medics Care for Injured Citizens vices “It’s not just the Marine decontamination team that can treat displaced civilians,” said Egelstad. “We are mandated by ARNORTH to 40 hours of CBRN training. Everyone in the medical unit is qualified to set up a decontamination line.” After displaced civilians are decontaminated, they are treated for their other injuries by Army medics standing by to help. “I’m just ready to do my job,” said Crewmembers lead medics from the 501st Area Support Medical Company to an awaiting Pfc. Barry Powell, a medic with the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during a recent rescue operation in the Louisville region. 501st ASMC, from Dayton, Ohio. “I always wanted to help people, it’s why Story and photos by Army Spc. C. Terrell Turner, I became a medic. We want people to try and find hard shelter and 361st PAOC s rescue efforts in Kentucky continue, Soldiers on the avoid exposure as much as possible.” ground maintain their mission and themselves in the face For the people who tragically cannot be saved by the medical of overwhelming devastation. teams or were found too late to be helped, Mortuary Affairs Teams Task Force 93, a force comprised of more than 15 units from are in place to ensure the dignified handling of human remains. across the military, is deployed to the Louisville, Ky., area to con“My team’s job is to collect remains at what is called a Deconduct chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response op- tamination Collection Point and attempt to decontaminate and erations in support of local, state and federal authorities. identify recovered remains,” said Sgt. Carlos Quintero, 54th QuarThe 501st Area Support Medical Company from Fort Campbell, termaster Company, Mortuary Affairs team leader from AguadilKy., is providing regional medical support. The various types of la, Puerto Rico. “We wash the bodies at least three times to deconmedical personnel on the ground reflect the different types of inju- taminate them and send the remains to Dover, Deleware, for DNA, ries facing displaced civilians. dental, and fingerprint identification. If we cannot safely ship the “We have several types of personnel here: medics, field sur- remains of our fallen citizens, we immediately inter the body in a geons, nurses, lab and dental technicians, mental health and behav- transportation container.” ioral doctors,” said ASMC 1st Sgt. Donna Egelstad, from Berkley Quintero said he and his team, which is part of 48-man crew, Springs, W. Va. “We also have mechanics, commo specialists, and take their job very seriously in dealing with human remains. medical supply specialists here to support our mission.” “ I volunteered for this mission and I take pride in what I do” Injuries affecting displaced civilians can vary greatly from ex- said Quintero. “To bring loved ones back to their families is a cruposure to contamination and illnesses, to burns from secondary cial mission that we have to stay motivated for and ready to do.” explosions caused by gas stations or vehicles. The units assigned to TF 93 stand ready to remain on station for Medical troops are also able to provide decontamination ser- the foreseeable future.
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Medic Spc. Tim Quigley (center Left) and radio operator Pfc. Brooks Yundt (center right), along with troops of the 2-152nd Reconnaissance and Surveillance Cavalry Squadron of the Indiana National Guard, transfer an injured civilian onto a stretcher before air support medical personnel prepare them for medical evacuation.
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Army Medic, Spc. Ray Brown, with the 501st, ASMC, consoles a displaced citizen recovering from radiation exposure.
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Soldiers Go In To Get’em Out Soldiers of the 139th Military Police Company, from Fort Stewart, Ga., clear and evacuate John E. Hingeley Memorial Clinic and Research Center at the nuclear detonation site Thursday. The evacuation was a success as the unit evacuated 20 citizens and moved them to a secure decontamination site. The 139th encountered a large variety of injuries, from broken bones to internal injuries. Medics with the 139th patiently and compassionately treated the injured, reassuring them that all would be okay. Casualties with severe wounds that could not be treated on site were evacuated to a medical treatment facility. (Army photo by Spc. Aloree M. Amodt, 358th PAD)
Clearing The Road Toward Recovery
Story and photo by Army Sgt. Christy Dispennette, 361st PAOC
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persons because he didn’t want to upset them. “We have to try to calm them down,” Brandon said. “We try to be careful what we say.” Pfc. Roger Blagg was involved with the rescue of a man and child that had to be evacuated to the hospital. His search team was also responsible for finding the mother of the same family. The team then took the steps to reunite the family. Understandably during times of crisis people can become upset, but the Soldiers are trained to be courteous and professional. “My training has prepared me for moments like this,” Blagg said.
he tragic events of 3/11 have left scars on Louisville, Ky., but Soldiers from the 77th Engineer Company, from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., are here to help heal the wounds and clear a path to hope. Engineers are conducting route clearance operations throughout the disaster site, removing large piles of debris consisting of damaged cars and destroyed buildings, allowing emergency vehicles to get through to help the search teams find citizens in the debris. Capt. Brent Hamilton, of the 77th, said that the goal is to help piece together the town after the disaster. “Once we can get in there, a search for survivors begins,” said Hamilton. The Soldiers are using various vehicles, such as bulldozers and forklifts, to enable the removal of wreckage along the town’s roads. Fire trucks are being utilized to put out fires along the burning rubble of houses and buildings. Helicopters are in constant use to evacuate injured civilians to hospitals beyond the town. Spc. Anthony Cristin said the search teams were able to locate survivors to give them medical aid and food. However, he said it was difficult to maneuver around the debris due to hazards such as detached electrical lines and fires, which hindered their efforts. “It feels good to help people from our country,” Cristin said. “We want to ensure everyone knows we are here to help them.” Spc. Timothy Brandon was also involved with Army engineers of the 77th clear the path to normalcy by conducting route clearing the roads in the effort to search for people. clearing operations throughout the town of Louisville, Ky., to enable the Brandon said it was tough to talk to the displaced citizens who have been torn apart by the tragic events of 3/11.
Saturday March 19, 2011
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