Missouri Guard medics partner with Ozarks Technical Community College for training

Missouri National Guard medics work on a simulated victim who lost a limb during training exercises at Ozarks Technical Community College during monthly drill Feb. 11, 2012. The valuable training and partnership with OTC gives Citizen-Soldiers experience they will use during state emergency duty or federal deployments. (Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard)

By Ann Keyes
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Citizen-Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard gained valuable training while partnering with Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield during February's monthly drill, using state-of-the-art manikins known as "SimMan 3Gs" to sharpen their skills.

Medics with the 206th Area Support Medical Company, as well as others from the 1175th Military Police Company, the 1107th Aviation Group and Detachment 3, Company F, 1st of the 169th Medevac, worked on simulated patients with sucking chest wounds, severed limbs and exposure to chemical gas while the patients moaned, blinked, bled and shed tears via sophisticated computer software.

"We're fortunate to collaborate with OTC for this training. The use of the school's simulation manikins gives our medics the opportunity to validate their medical skills with the next closest thing than that of a live patient," said Capt. Joseph Caldwell, commander of the 206th. "This is crucial to ensure our medics sustain their critical skill-set which is necessary to respond to state emergency duty and federal overseas deployments."

"We welcome the Missouri National Guard to our campus. The college is honored that they chose to use our facilities to help in this important training of their medics, and we look forward to working with them again in the future," said Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College."

Medics worked scenarios created by OTC staff in round-robin style training. As the sound of gun fire rang-out from audio speakers in Lincoln Hall on the school's center-city Springfield campus, three medics and a trainer/observer were given 20 minutes per patient before moving on to the next unknown situation.

While medics treated a 19-year-old suffering from blood loss, medical personnel from Springfield's Cox Medical Centers and Mercy Hospital manipulated the condition of the victim via computer, forcing medics to alter their treatment depending on need.

"I'm not a medic in my civilian life," said Spc. Christina Sklenar, a member of the 206th and a student at OTC. "These are life-like manikins suffering from various injuries, so we're learning new stuff. It's great training; it's good for all of us."

While the scenarios are new to some, at least half the 50-some medics undergoing training at OTC have experience in the field, whether overseas or during annual training and schools attended through the military.

"The medics are the primary source when it comes to providing care in the field. It's where the rubber meets the road," said Staff Sgt. Darren Maute, the readiness noncommissioned officer for the 206th, based in Springfield. Maute said the closest installation to have the type of equipment OTC has is at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.

During training, Missouri National Guard joint chief of staff Col. Wendul Hagler observed, as well as Lt. Col. Rebecca Segovia, commander of the 229th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, higher headquarters for the 206th. The Missouri Guard's State Surgeon, Col. Susan Pearson also attended.

"To see this technology, to get this training, is an example of the great capability out partners bring to bear," said Hagler. "We have the ability to expand this training capability for state emergency duty and also to take these skills to the field of combat."

While on site, Hagler took the opportunity to award a Meritorious Service Medal to Sgt. 1st Class Robert Dalke. The former readiness officer for the 206th was instrumental in brokering the OTC partnership before joining the medical evacuation detachment that will deploy to Afghanistan later this year.

"This recognition is not bestowed lightly," said Hagler to Willard resident Dalke.

"This is very unexpected," said Dalke, initially a Marine who also served with the Missouri Guard's 1138th Military Police Company after several overseas tours with other units. "You don't expect to get recognized for doing your job."

While some Missouri Guard Soldiers worked on the SimMan 3Gs, others inserted IVs on 'arms' lined up on tables in another part of the building - complete with blood if not done precisely.

"Being able to partner for this is pretty remarkable. We don't have these amenities at the armory in Springfield," said Maute, of Nixa.

Michelle Howard, director of the Allied Health Simulation Center at OTC, said she has always wanted to work with the National Guard.

"We are a community college and we are here to assist with the education of not only our students but the community as well," said Howard, who worked with Dalke in securing the partnership. Howard adds that the college trains those studying in the fields of respiratory therapy, paramedics, physical therapy and dental hygiene using the manikins.

"We take this extremely seriously," said Howard, advising Guard Soldiers to stay in their role during training to maintain realism.

The Missouri Guard hopes the partnership is the first of many training opportunities with OTC, perhaps a twice-yearly exercise using SimMan 3G.

"We are truly grateful for this partnership with OTC and look forward to building upon this partnership with future training events," said Caldwell.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog; www.pinterest.com/monationalguard/

Ozarks Technical Community College provides a "SimMan 3G" exposed to chemical gas for training Missouri National Guard medics Feb. 11, 2012 in Springfield, Missouri. The college's state-of-the-art manikins bring training to Citizens-Soldiers they will use during state and or federal call-ups for military service. (Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard)

Missouri National Guard joint chief of staff and 70th Troop Command commander Col. Wendul Hagler presents the Meritorious Service Medal to Sgt. 1st Class Robert Dalke in Springfield, Missouri on Feb. 11, 2012. Dalke, of Willard, Missouri, formerly the readiness officer for the 206th Area Support Medical Company, currently serves the Missouri Guard as part of Detachment 3, Company F, 1st of the 169th Medevac, a unit slated to deploy to Afghanistan later this year. (Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard)