Disaster simulation enhances preparation of 81st AMDS medics

Staff Sgt. Billy Wince, left, an 81st AMDS bioenvironmental health flight technician, is monitored by Alliance Solutions analyst Jessica Feil as he takes readings with a radiation detector at a simulated accident site. The “accident” involved a spill of radioactive and chemical materials and was one of the realistic scenarios used during the CBRN Challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Pivnick)

Disaster simulation enhances preparation of 81st AMDS medic

Published Jan. 27, 2010
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- Members of the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental health flight recently participated in the Air Education and Training Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Challenge.

"The challenge was a four-day workshop that provided emergency responders with an opportunity to employ homeland defense and expeditionary detection equipment in realistic scenarios while building confidence, proficiency and camaraderie," said Lynn Shipp, 81st AMDS medical emergency response manager. "It also assessed CBRN-related knowledge in a Jeopardy-style game, captured lessons learned and best practices and identified policy and equipment gaps in health risk-assessment and emergency-management operations."

He added, "The workshop's goal was to improve the overall incident response posture of bioenvironmental engineering and civil engineer emergency management by encouraging realistic training, improving proficiency and recognizing outstanding performance."

Two analysts from Alliance Solutions Group of Newport News, Va., monitored the team's performance. The flight expects to receive the final report soon.