Hickam Airmen participate in PACAF emergency management training

by Staff Sgt. Alexander Martinez
15th Wing Public Affairs

1/30/2015 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  -- Airmen from the 15th Wing tested their emergency management knowledge and skills during integrated base emergency response capability training Jan. 26 through 30.

Participants of the training from the 15th Aerospace Medical Squadron practiced their response to chemical, biological and radiological contamination scenarios that simulated real-world potential threats.

"It's absolutely invaluable training," said Lt. Col. Mary Carlisle, 15th AMDS commander. "It validates our readiness requirements, and we are happy to have this training opportunity."

The drill built upon itself throughout the week, progressing in difficulty and detail. The final days of the training consisted of a hands-on scenario.

While conducting hands-on training, Airmen used hazardous compound detection equipment to take initial air and material samples of the training area. Once a simulated emergency took place, they suited up in hazardous material suits, gloves, boots and gasmasks and followed their training procedures to enter the affected area in order to conduct air and material testing. They then compared the results to their initial samples to determine the level of contamination.

Airmen worked together in teams to conduct the testing and reported their actions and findings back to a command center where the data was examined for further action, including coordination with other emergency response agencies.

"This week, we learned to have clear objectives, a clear mind and a clear understanding of how our duties are performed," said Staff Sgt. Eva Doty, 15th AMDS bioenvironmental engineering flight NCO in charge of readiness. "We were already proficient in emergency response, but this gives us a better understanding of our processes and the equipment we use."

The training was coordinated through the bioenvironmental engineering office at Pacific Air Forces Headquarters. All PACAF bases are scheduled to participate in the training.

The 15th AMDS bioenvironmental engineering flight is the first unit in PACAF to go through the training.

Carlisle said being the first PACAF base is an advantage for the 15th AMDS because, "It allows us to provide feedback for the scenarios to the other PACAF bases."

In order to maintain training consistency, the IBERCT was conducted by emergency management specialists with Alliance Solutions Group, a government contractor.