Experience

My role in FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) eventually developed to the point that I began FEMA US&R Medical Team Specialist training in 2016. My mentor, Scott McKenney at the time, had led these courses since the late 90s and had trained most of the US&R medical personnel across the country. I worked with Scott for years to ensure our teams commitment to the System (National Urban Search & Rescue) and that our responders did not stop training with his departure. His lessons of service, semper gumby, and always leaning forward inspired me step forward to take over the program once he left.

When this course was first developed, it was by doctors and paramedics who responded to major earthquakes domestically and internationally. Each subsequent year and disaster added to the lectures and skill stations of the course. My first 50+ hour, 5-day course in 2003 focused on treating victims trapped under a collapsed building, how to ensure team health, and attending lectures on bomb blast injuries. By 2005, lectures included chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials. We were taught to recognize potential agents by identifying signs and symptoms. Additionally, each new year brought new information pertaining to team health and patient management.

An updated course was rolled out in 2016but was not without controversy. With over 20 years of adding lessons learned from the major disasters which now included Hurricane Katrina, and the international responses of Haiti and Fukushima, the members of the rewrite committee were challenged to reduce the heft of the course while retaining the most important information. Lessons deemed less important were moved to an online pre-course. The committee also wanted to ensure that all vital medical team information continued to be taught. During the committees debates, I witnessed firsthand the passion, heard the arguments, and watched multiple members walk away or be replaced.

This project had a budget and a deadline through Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) contracted by FEMA US&R Branch. Three US&R members were selected for the rewrite with three reviewers. The parameters of the class were clear: 13 hours online of pre-course work and 46 hours of in-class sessions over the course of four-and-a-half days. Instructors were directed to utilize the power points provided. They could add to them, but not delete any information.

As the lead, one of my roles is to select an instructor cadre. I...…with cooperative funds thanks to the support of my team, CA-TF4. The previous Program Manager stated he was willing to utilize training funds from our team because we need other disciplines to assist with course management. We developed our own opportunity to train our logisticians in cache transport, base of operations set-up, and equipment accountability. Communications brings radios and develops a comms plan. Canines are involved in being treated and locating victims during the night exercise. Team members volunteer to be victims on the night exercise. And the night exercise developed into a coordinated effort to have a Disaster Medical Assistance Team on-site to receive patients. Still, the bottom line remains: we need additional funding to ensure this course remains relevant.

The relationships developed by adding in regional US&R teams and the extensive night exercise training have made our program to be known to the state US&R branch. Sharing the overview of the course and recent equipment feedback, I informally requested a replacement cache for the Medical Team Specialist training. This was met with a positive response. I am confident that in the future we will continue to host this course for the System and increase our capabilities within our…