GTMO's Installation Training Team to Focus on Emergency Preparedness

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Justin Ailes, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Installation Training Team officials at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba will hold an annual emergency response drill on base Jan. 9-10.

Scheduled to be held at W.T. Sampson Elementary and W.T. Sampson High schools, the training exercise will focus on the proper method for conducting shelter-in-place, lockdown, and evacuation procedures.

"This exercise is part of an ongoing Training and Readiness program driven by the base Commander and lead by the executive officer, aimed at making sure we are ready and able to care for our base residents," said NS Guantanamo Bay Installation Training Officer Kevin Robarge.

The training evolution will involve representatives from the installation's Fire, Security and Medical departments, as well as staff from both schools.

"We do this every year to ensure that our teachers and students are familiar with base policies and procedures associated with these events," said W.T. Sampson Administrative Officer Carl Davis. "It's become even more paramount to focus on these procedures since the recent school tragedies in Connecticut. Comparatively, we are very safe here in GTMO, but it is imperative to take all necessary precautions to protect our community."

According to Davis, normal transportation and school start and end times will not be affected.

Installation Training Team officials continue to focus on community preparedness. Recently, team members facilitated and emergency response drill at the installation's Windjammer pool.

"Our goal was to run an emergency response to an injury at the main pool with the life guards and ase emergency responders," said Robarge. "This provided a chance for all areas to evaluate, train and improve their skills. Base emergency responders and Morale, Welfare and Recreation life guards were able to practice their lifesaving skills in a realistic scenario."

The scenario tested and evaluated the life guards, 911 dispatching and emergency responders (Medical, Fire, Security) ability to secure and injured swimmer.

"The drill featured a diving injury where a swimmer suffered a spinal injury," said Robarge. "The member had to be stabilized in the water, placed on a spine board to stabilize their neck and extracted from the pool by life guards."

According to Robarge, ensuring the installation's emergency responders are properly trained and capable of adapting to potentially hazardous situations is of the upmost importance.

"The key to success is being able to do the basics with precision, so the more training personnel have, the better they can get at what they do," said Robarge.