Utah Air Guard CERFP conducts joint training exercises

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kyle Williamson
  • 151 MDG Det-1 (CERFP)
SALT LAKE CITY --  November kicked off two major training events for the 151st Medical Detachment-1, the medical portion of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package, a joint Utah Army and Air National Guard team that responds to mass-casualty events and provides search and extraction, decontamination, medical treatment and stabilization, as well as fatality remains recovery.

The first training event was accomplished in Idaho and centered on field casualty care in conjunction with wide area search and recovery operations. Twelve members of the Davis County Sheriff Department's Search and Rescue team conducted training with the 151st Det-1. This training provided by the 151st Det-1 members enhanced the medical skills of the SAR team while familiarizing them with their equipment. Also in attendance were two members of the 934th Field Surgical Team and one member of the 171st Medical Evacuation unit.

In turn, Davis County SAR provided wide area training to the 151st Det-1 members and increased valuable team skills in the event of a natural disaster affecting large populations.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Bornemeier, head of the CERFP team and lead planner for the exercise, has coined this type of training as "cross pollination".

"In my opinion, that is what the Guard is all about; Citizen Airmen serving their communities," said Bornemeier, who is also the commander of the Davis County Sheriff's SAR team.

The second training event conducted by the 151st Det-1 was held at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City, and included a site visit to the University of Utah's Burn Center. The training started with a lecture by the U of U Burn Center's subject matter expert, Anette Matherly, in the auditorium of building 210, with civilian providers from the U of U, Air Med, 934th FST, 171st MedEvac unit, and 151st Det-1 members in attendance.

After the lecture, the teams practiced burn scenarios on the 151st Det-1's patient simulator. Training continued with load and unload procedures (cold and hot engine) on the 171st MedEvac's UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters

The trainees then relocated to the University's Burn Center for more burn care protocol instruction. U of U team members who attended the morning lectures were now teaching their military classmates on U of U burn treatment equipment and procedures--effectively generating more cross pollination among participants!

In all, 151st Det 1 personnel were able to facilitate training of 12 Davis County Sherriff Search and Rescue members, six members of U of U Burn Center, 10 members of the 934th FST, 12 members of the 171st MedEvac team, and 45 members from 151st Det-1. In return, the 151st Det-1 members were able to glean valuable skills from the training provided by civilian and Army response partners.