News

Medical Group hones skills through decontamination training

  • Published
  • By Tommie Horton
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The 78th Medical Group conducted In-Place Patient Decontamination training April 24-26 at the base medical facility.

During training, IPPD team members quickly set up a shelter and decontaminated patients injured during a mock disaster or major chemical spill.

In the event of a real emergency, patients would be washed off in the shelter area to prevent them from contaminating other facilities where healthcare workers are present.

A total of 19 team members were trained to decontaminate patients for a variety of agents, including chemical, biological, radiological, and conventional hazardous or toxic materials.

Capt. Scott Walker, IPPD team lead and 78th MDG general dentist, said the goal was to make sure decontamination tents can be set up quickly in real-world situations.

The team physically set up a tent, hooked up a water heater to a fire hydrant, set up an area where excess water could be drained, and got fully dressed in protective suits in about 12 minutes. The timed allowance was 20 minutes.

"It was good training because now as a team we are much more prepared," Walker said.

Training is conducted every two to three years, and was led by DECON LLC instructor and consultant Theresa Casey.