JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Decontamination subject matter experts with the Washington National Guard’s 10th Homeland Response Force conducted a two-day hazardous material familiarization course for active-duty Soldiers with the 153rd Medical Detachment (Blood Support), 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 62nd Medical Brigade, Sept. 22-23.
Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Collins, Sgt. Joy Potter, and Spc. Saul Ruelas taught chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incident basics, protective equipment familiarization, and hazardous material monitoring. Students completed a practical exercise in chemical protective gear, using Joint Chemical Agent Detectors (JCAD M4A1) to identify possible hazards.
“We were teaching a crash course in CBRN-world basics,” said Collins, the lead instructor. “How the equipment works, what it does, and how to use it to safely conduct triage during a radiological event.”
Collins, Potter and Ruelas are part of the Decontamination Element (DECON), a subordinate asset within the 10th Homeland Response Force, specializing in mass casualty decontamination. Within 2 1/2 hours, DECON can unload and erect decontamination facilities and begin receiving patients.
“It’s better to be trained by someone with technical experience instead of just [reading] a training manual,” said Cpl. Alberto Contreras-Velarde, the 153rd MDBS supply sergeant. “You can’t ask a TM questions.”
Like the DECON element, the 153rd MDBS is designed to be ‘detached’ from the larger parent unit, operating independently to collect and bank blood for lifesaving treatments for blood-borne illnesses and provide critical support during emergencies. The detachment can set up a tent to hold 20 donors for a blood drive anytime, anywhere in less than two hours.
“This [training] isn’t just for our lab techs,” said Maj. Paul Ambrose, commander of the 153rd MDBS. “Our supply specialists and mechanics are training as well, making sure the medical equipment works and our detachment is ready for any situation.”
‘Any situation’ includes the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, where specialty detachments — like the 153rd MDBS and elements from 10th Homeland Response Force — provided critical skills to support relief efforts.
During the pandemic response, 10 Soldiers with the 153rd MDBS were deployed to a biotechnologies facility in College Station, Texas, to help industry partners produce COVID-19 vaccines. Back in Washington state, elements of the 10th Homeland Response Force, as part of the Washington National Guard’s COVID-19 response task force, supported food banks, testing facilities, and vaccine distribution.
Joint training between active duty and reserve forces means a stronger and more effective response.
“We’re focused on enhancing our medical skills in this new environment,” Ambrose says. “More peer competitors means confidence in our equipment is key.”