MAFB personnel work with Blackfeet Fire Management for training exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Smoot
  • 341 Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTORM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Members from the 40th Helicopter Squadron and 341st Medical Group joined the Blackfeet Fire Management crew for a training exercise on June 12 in East Glacier National Park.

The aircrew of Blade 99 consisted of four members, Capt. Samuel Shamburg, 40th HS chief of standardization evaluation; 1st Lt. RJ Bergman, 40th HS standardization evaluation liaison officer; Tech. Sgt. Eric Adkins, 40th HS superintendent; and Maj. Rhodora Beckinger, 341st Medical Operations Squadron flight surgeon. The crew spent three hours training with members of Blackfeet Fire Management team, otherwise known as Hot Shots. The purpose of the training was to introduce new recruits to helicopter operations involving insertion, extraction, and search and rescue.

The training started at 10 a.m. with a brief introduction between the firefighters and aircrew, followed by ground instruction on helicopter operations and first responder practices.

Beckinger believed that they had a unique perspective that she felt was important to share with the young firefighters.

Once Beckinger found out about their unique mission, the aircrew developed a plan which consisted of hands-on training on the ground. Following that was the actual search and rescue demonstration with hoist extraction of a survivor.

"This (training) enabled these young firefighters to understand not only the concepts of a search and rescue, but also demonstrate to them what it takes to do a successful patient extraction with an actual exercise," Beckinger said.

Ground training included helicopter safety, helicopter loading/unloading, search and rescue principles and use of rescue devices to include a forest penetrator and a Stokes litter.

The Stokes litter is a rescue device that allows unconscious or non-ambulatory patients to be hoisted out of remote locations.

Beckinger wanted to stress to the young firefighters how their contributions as initial medical responders are very important to the success of a search and rescue mission.

"In a lot of situations, (the firefighters) are the ones who will reach the survivor first and provide medical aid," Beckinger added. "We were able to provide comprehensive training, which involved different medical scenarios with the incorporation of patient stabilization and different ways of patient extraction to include the Stokes litter and use of the penetrator."

The fire crew also learned how to put together the Stokes litter and how to properly move and secure an injured survivor in the litter for helicopter extraction.

"These young trainees were definitely very enthusiastic and eager to learn," she said. "I can see that we were making a difference by providing valuable skills to help in their training."

After the hands on instruction, the firefighters conducted the actual search and rescue exercise where Beckinger was hoisted on the ground to assess the injured survivor.

"The Hot Shots successfully demonstrated the skills that they learned and worked together as a team to help stabilize our demo survivor, Rescue Randy, and secure him in the Stokes litter for extraction," Beckinger said.

"We provided them with as much training as possible," she added. "I am very fortunate to be given this opportunity by the 341st Medical Group to be able to participate in this unique mission with the 40th Helicopter Squadron. Needless to say, I believe the crew accomplished our mission and more by providing education, mentorship, and continuing to foster long lasting relationships with our community."

The training proves invaluable to the new recruits as they prepare to conduct firefighting operations around the state in the coming months.

"Training with the Hot Shots is always a pleasure," said Shamburg. "They bring an enthusiasm about learning helicopter operations and really aid in the enhancement of the entire search and rescue community. I would go back every year if I could."