Mass casualty exercise helps Iraqis complete CLS course

By Pfc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public AffairsMarch 27, 2009

Participants of the combat life saver course at Kirkuk Military Base in Kirkuk, Iraq, take part in a mass casualty training exercise Feb. 24. The participants came from various backgrounds, and are going through the course to learn vital life...
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Participants of the combat life saver course at Kirkuk Military Base in Kirkuk, Iraq, take part in a mass casualty training exercise Feb. 24. The participants came from various backgrounds, and are going through the course to learn vital life saving ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Doctors and emergency services personnel bring a simulated casualty into the Kirkuk Military Base, Kirkuk, Iraq, during a mass casualty training exercise Feb. 24. The participants are learning how to save lives during mass casualty events. The...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Doctors and emergency services personnel bring a simulated casualty into the Kirkuk Military Base, Kirkuk, Iraq, during a mass casualty training exercise Feb. 24. The participants are learning how to save lives during mass casualty events. The traini... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Participants in a mass casualty training exercise at Kirkuk Military Base, also known as K-1 in Kirkuk, Iraq, bring a casualty into the medical clinic Feb. 24. The participants are practicing skills they learned during a 17 day combat life saver...
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Participants in a mass casualty training exercise at Kirkuk Military Base, also known as K-1 in Kirkuk, Iraq, bring a casualty into the medical clinic Feb. 24. The participants are practicing skills they learned during a 17 day combat life saver cour... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq- The sound of sirens and

revving engines pierce the ears as Iraqis with simulated injuries are carried out of a

large, inconspicuous-looking dining facility.

Several Iraqi firemen, police and Army emergency services personnel swarm

with stretchers holding the "wounded" during a mass casualty training exercise held on

Kirkuk Military Base, also known as K-1, near Kirkuk, Iraq Feb. 24.

The exercise was the culminating training event after a 17-day combat life saver

course that took place on K-1. It was designed by both Iraqi and U.S. medical staff and

was intended to replicate several mortar and bomb attacks-causing a total of 15

casualties-during which the participants were expected to use the skills learned in the

CLS course.

The IP, IA and firemen worked jointly and provided first responder medical care

for each simulated casualty in order of priority. The casualties were loaded in order of

critical need into ambulances and were transported to a nearby casualty collection

point. The "critically injured" patients were evacuated to a hospital in Kirkuk city, while

those listed with minor injuries were evacuated to the medical facilities on K-1.

Upon arriving at the K-1 clinic, the victims were rushed into the emergency room,

where waiting doctors and assistants immediately began treating their wounds.

Soldiers from Company C., 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat

Team, 1st Cavalry Division, oversaw the functions of the Emergency Room, but were

merely observers of the Iraqi doctors. The event was designed to test the skills that first

responders learned during the CLS course.

"Between the CLS course and this training event, the CLS participants are now

much more capable of performing vital life-saving skills," said Ari F. Anwal, a doctor's

assistant at the K-1 medical facility.

During the CLS course, participants learned how to stop major bleeding, perform

cardiopulmonary resuscitation, needle decompression and loading and unloading

patients into ambulances.

"Accidents and attacks happen," said Anwal. "People should know how to keep a

casualty alive long enough for an ambulance to arrive. This event is the participant's

chance to use what they have learned and act with confidence. The exercise today was

special because the medics and CF did such a great job replicating a real mass

casualty event."

"The participants did not know what kind of injuries to expect," said Sgt. Vincent

Todd, a medic for Company C. "We came here expecting to have to walk them through

the CLS course and training event. But, they did a great job at doing what they have

been trained to do: save lives."

The training was also a chance to bring Iraqi policemen, Soldiers and firefighters

together, and teach them how to coordinate responses during a mass casualty event.

"It was good to bring all these different branches together," said Anwal. "They got

a chance to organize themselves and each group did its part."

"It is important they are as prepared as us medically," said Spc. Katherine

Kaspari, the senior medic for Company C. "They are going to need to do this on their

own."

"They are very disciplined and dedicated to learning," said Kaspari. "They put

what they learned into action and the event was very successful."

The training event wrapped up after the last patient was treated at the clinic. The

participants took one final written test on Feb. 25 to be certified as combat life savers.