Price Barracks, Belize -- Hazardous Materials Marines trained Caribbean Basin Partner Nation soldiers and civilians to rappel to the rescue during confined space rescue training for exercise Tradewinds 2010, April 19-24.
Armed with rappelling gear, oxygen tank, radio and air monitor, rescuers dropped into a confined space and crawled through a small tunnel with only inches of space surrounding them. At the end of the simulator’s tunnel lay a casualty.
Days prior, students learned the basics, receiving numerous hours of hands-on training. Marine instructors taught them how to create pulley systems, and a rope harness called a Swiss seat. Then they learned how to secure injured victims onto a stretcher, tightly covered by plastic-wrap called a sked.
In preparation for the simulator, students climbed a tower 45 feet high, and rappelled to the ground simulating a drop into confined space.
“We wanted to give the students an idea of rappelling from different heights.” said Master Sgt. Thomas Auletta, operations chief for HAZMAT Environmental Services Division, Marine Forces Reserve.
The students transferred their rappelling skills to a confined space rescue operations simulator for the final exercise.
“Typical rescue heights could range anywhere from six to 60 feet.,” said Auletta, a civilian emergency services unit supervisor in Nassau County, NY. “This one simulates a pretty high drop.”
Using all the knowledge and allotted time for practicing their acquired skills, the students conducted the final exercise.
“We are giving the students little guidance for the final exercise,” said Staff Sgt. Don Carney, a HAZMAT specialist, who serves as a Nassau County Police Department detective. “We’re observing, but only giving them help when they need it.”
Auletta commended the students for how quickly they moved through the simulator.
“The injured victim was rescued, the rescuers were decontaminated, and they identified the unknown chemical,” Auletta explained. “The students did an excellent job assigning roles and all central tasks were conducted with no assistance.”
Hazardous Materials Environmental Services Division, Marine Forces Reserve, also known as HAZMAT or ESD, is a reserve unit with close to 60 personnel at five different sites within the U.S. They ensure compliance with environmental regulations and maintain various units’ emergency response abilities to hazardous materials.
Dominican Republic Navy Lt. j.g. Alexis Beras, an operations officer, explained the importance of the training that he received for the first time in six years.
“HAZMAT training is always changing universally,” said Beras. “It’s my duty as a training officer and supervisor to stay up to date on HAZMAT training.”
Auletta said the Marines with HAZMAT each requalify annually, ensuring they receive the most up to date HAZMAT training.
There were 24 students in the class, mostly military, but two civilians from the Belize Environmental Safety Department who took the two-part, week-long HAZMAT course.