On the anniversary of September 11th, we are looking back and remembering. But at the same time, we are looking forward. Davenport firefighters are doing that by training for other potential attacks, working to be able to do their best in a worst-case situation.
They use a high-tech system that gives them a potentially real-life scenario. There is a medical issue on a screen and a patient on a table. First responders must treat his symptoms, and determine what caused them. District Chief Mike Carlsten says, "We're so used to dealing with one or two patients at a time. This class talks about how to deal with hundreds, if not thousand of people who are affected all at the same time." Affected by things crews don't typically deal with.
Jeremy Lyons is the instructor, from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. He says, "It involves chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive devices and agents." His team travels around the country, training crews to respond to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction.
Lyons says the most important tool to help do that is a 100-thousand dollar dummy, affectionately named Bruce. It has a real blood pressure and pulse, and when responders give it drugs, that registers on a nearby computer and changes Bruce's reaction. In this training class, Bruce has been exposed to chemical agents, anthrax and the plague. And each time, local crews have saved his life.
They're using technology, information and training that used to be reserved for the military, but is now protecting civilians across the country.
Carlsten says, "After events of 9/11, our world changed a little bit. And our crews have to train a little bit more on how to handle these kinds of potential terrorist activities." "We know they have an everyday job to do," Lyons says. "What we want is, hopefully in the back of their mind, if something seems out of place, if we can get that click, maybe that's all the complete goal is."
It's something firefighters tell us those with Hazmat training have dealt with for years, but something medical personnel need to learn about as well. 19 people from Scott County agencies were in the class, the majority from Davenport Fire. All of those firefighters are EMTS, many are trained paramedics.
Instructors say they conduct these classes about 60 times a year. They tell us the fact that local organizations are willing to go through this training shows just how pro-active they are. Lyons says that will keep area families safer.
