Medics register second fastest IPPDC set-up time in Air Force

First Lt. David Supinski, 95th Medical Operations Squadron physician assistant, checks a "patient" during an in-place patient decontamination capability training here April 1 and 2. During the training the team registered the second fastest mission capable time of IPPDC equipment set up with a time of four minutes and 12 seconds. The record is four minutes and six seconds. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Medics register second fastest IPPDC set-up time in Air Force

The 95th Medical Group in-place patient decontamination capability team decontaminates a "patient" during an IPPDC training here April 1 and 2. During the training the team registered the second fastest mission capable time of IPPDC equipment set up with a time of four minutes and 12 seconds. The record is four minutes and six seconds. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Medics register second fastest IPPDC set-up time in Air Force

The 95th Medical Group builds an in-place patient decontamination capability during an IPPDC training here April 1 and 2. During the training the team registered the second fastest mission capable time of IPPDC equipment set up with a time of four minutes and 12 seconds. The record is four minutes and six seconds. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Medics register second fastest IPPDC set-up time in Air Force

Published April 8, 2008
By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 95th Medical Group in-place patient decontamination capability team registered the second fastest mission capable time of IPPDC equipment setup April 2 with a time of four minutes and 12 seconds.

This was part of the new in-place patient decontamination capability training performed by 16 Airmen from the 95th MDG here April 1 and 2.

The fastest mission capable time of IPPDC equipment set up was 4:06, registered by Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

"It's all about teamwork and motivation," said 1st Lt. David Supinski, 95th Medical Operations Squadron physician assistant and team chief. "Some of these guys have experience and some don't, but they showed their professionalism. They took it seriously; they listened; and worked great as a team."

The purpose of this two-day training was to refresh these medics on the instructions of in-place patient decontamination capability and train them on the new IPPDC equipment, said Tom Bocek, IPPDC trainer. The training is specifically designed to train the medic on how to decontaminate patients during a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack, and to help protect other patients and themselves from contamination.

"On the first day, they learned about weapons of mass destruction, medical signs and symptoms and how to detect weapons of mass destruction," Mr. Bocek said.

The medics also learned about the different types of decontaminants, their personal protective equipment and how to process contaminated patients, he said.

The second day was the hands-on training, where students learned how to set up the new in-place patient decontamination capability.

The training was paramount, Mr. Bocek said. No medics can perform their mission without first decontaminating the patient.

"The whole concept of decontamination is that these medics are the shield for the medical facility -- they must clean the patient before medical care," he said.

Lieutenant Supinski said the training is very important.

"This training ensures that our people on base will be taken care of in a time of need," he said. "We can respond anywhere without losing our capability to fight. I am confident that anyone on this team can go anywhere and perform their mission."