By Staff Sgt. William Barraza
557th Medical Company (Area Support)
PRIZREN, Kosovo - The 557th Medical Company (Area Support), 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional), 30th Medical Brigade evaluated a first responder course led by Kosovo Security Forces medics from June 22-26, 2015.
Over the course of three days, KSF medics were able to train 20 members of their security forces in life saving skills such as hemorrhage control, airway treatment, and breathing management.
The first responder course led by the KSF medics marked the final phase of a three-phase program that is designed to grow the KSF to establish an emergency medical program that is part of the demining program for the country of Kosovo. The first responder course allows KSF to continue building their own medical training that will send trained medics with KSF explosive ordnance disposal while they destroy mines in parts of Kosovo.
The training was difficult and ended with medical trauma testing lanes. During the event, KSF medics assessed their overall performance on a lane based trauma simulation. Students were tested in four-member groups and demonstrated their ability to treat the three most preventable causes of death on the battlefield.
"It was my first time doing this type of training. I enjoyed the realism and lessons I learned from it," said Kosovo Security Forces Cpl. Bajram Plakiqi, an EOD operator.
At the conclusion of the training event the U.S. embassy in Pristina presented the KSF with a state of the art Ultimate Hurt mannequin, demining moulage kit and EUCOM medical deminer kit valued at over $50,000.
"This equipment will enhance the ability of the KSF medics to train their own personnel as well as conducting more realistic sustainment training for their medics" said Spc. Travis W. Sinfellow with the 557th Medical Battalion and the course's noncommissioned officer in charge.
Social Sharing