Misawa rescuers participate in Aomori Prefecture disaster exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members from Misawa Air Base's 35th Aerospace Medical Squadron, 35th Dental Squadron and the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron's fire department, teamed up with Aomori Prefecture emergency services Aug. 29 in Misawa City. 

The 2009 Aomori Prefecture Natural Disaster Readiness Exercise brought together civilian agencies, branches of the Japanese Self-Defense Force and members of Misawa in one location to demonstrate their rescue capabilities in response to an earthquake and terrorist chemical attack. 

"The number of players for this exercise is actually quite extensive," said Master Sgt. Michael Schell, 35th CES deputy fire chief. "We had agencies from all over the prefecture represented during this year's natural disaster exercise. Fire Department, Japanese Police, Medical, Utilities and Emergency Managers encompassed a vast majority of the participants. With Japanese support agencies also exercising their contingency plans." 

Misawa City played host to the emergency responders for the prefecture-wide exercise. In addition to the emergency response forces from Misawa City, Misawa Air Base participated by exercising its medical and fire emergency services response agreements. Misawa demonstrated medical care of a vehicle accident patient, while the fire emergency services demonstrated the rescue of a patient from a collapsed structure. 

The Misawa Fire Emergency Services Flight is currently the only Misawa agency to have an agreement with local response forces, said Sergeant Schell added. This exercise re-enforces the bonds with the host nation additionally the exercise also demonstrates to wing leadership and prefecture civic and government leaders the capabilities of the emergency response forces for the Aomori Prefecture during a natural disaster.

Along with Misawa's rescuers showing how they conduct business, the 35th Medical Group also had members from the dental squadron exercising their creative skills by applying moulage to eight Japanese volunteer victims for a hint of realism. 

"It's a good learning experience, and I'm very excited to be working with the Japanese," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Carpio, 35th DS dental lab technician. I think it's a great opportunity for community relations between the base and Misawa city." 

With the eight volunteers dressed in moulage, it was now time for the emergency responders to react. As the siren sounded, Misawa's fire department was first on scene with the 35th MDG ambulance close behind. 

As soon as the fire truck came to a halt, firefighters leapt into action, assessing the scene and preparing the appropriate equipment to save the simulated victim. After checking the victim's vital signs, they covered him with a towel to protect him from wood chips and other flying debris before cutting an entry to extract the man. Next, they took the simulated victim to the ambulance for any follow-on medical needs. 

"I can bring this experience back to the station and give everyone a chance to participate and show how different fire departments perform different rescues," said Staff Sgt. William Everett, 35th CES fire department. "This training will help out when we need to respond to disasters." 

Working with the off base fire departments will strengthen morale, and it will add an extra educational benefit for all fire departments involved, said Sergeant Everett. 

While the fire department was working to rescue a man from a collapsed building, the 35th AMDS labored diligently with Japanese responders to extract an actor from a wrecked car. 

"It's a great opportunity to show off our skills as well as learn from our counterparts," said Lt. Col Talib Ali, 35th AMDS flight medicine flight commander. "I think it will boost relations to great extent." 

The 2009 Aomori Prefecture Natural Disaster Readiness Exercise was an opportunity to show more than a prefecture's emergency preparedness; it was a way to strengthen community bonds, added Colonel Talib. 

"It promotes a good relationship with Misawa Air Base and Japanese locals," Capt. Zahid Siddique, 35th AMDS flight medicine manager. "As a joint exercise, we have better communications with our counterparts."