Soldiers take on First Responder Course validation

Staff Sgt. Christina J. Turnipseed

1st BCT, 1st Armored Div. Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq – Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team worked under pressure to stop bleeding, initiate IVs and restore breathing to simulated casualties as part of the First Responder’s Course validation at Heredia Aid Station here Feb. 27.

“We want more Soldiers out there that can help the medics with medical care when Soldiers get wounded,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Nelson, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment medics.

The 2nd Bn., 3rd FA Regt., and the brigade’s Special Troops Bn. sent Soldiers to the FRC to augment the Soldiers’ combat lifesaver skills.

Soldiers attending the class expressed interest in having the necessary skills to help the medic assigned to them during a battlefield crisis.

Spc. Ferantee J. Johnson, a communications Soldier with 1st BCT’s STB, said he took the course “to further my ability in CLS so I can have the ability to help fellow Soldiers if they need the assistance.”

Sgt. Robert B. Fuller, a fires support Soldier with B Company, 2nd Bn., 3rd FA Regt., said he took the course, “so we can have an assistant to our medic in case anything happens to him; I can do it on my own.”

Spc. Joseph Espuvuoa of A Battery, 2nd Bn., 3rd FA Regt., said the training gives him the skills he needs to assist a unit medic with medical care, or if he is the one down, he can provide care for him.

The primary instructor for the FRC is Staff Sgt. Alejandro Giron of Headquarters and Headquarters Btry., 2nd Bn., 3rd FA Regt., and his assistant for the course is Spc. Sarah A. Guidry, from the same battalion.

Master Sgt. Brian Scott, the 1st BCT senior enlisted medic of the Davis Combat Center here, and Sgt. 1st Class Sevrine Banks, the NCO in charge of the DCC, performed the FRC validation.

“It’s impressive that they learned all this in a week,” said Banks.

“It’s more advanced care treatment on the battlefield,” said Scott. “We’ll save more lives. The first 10 minutes are critical.”