917 WG conducts specialized rescue exercises

Airman 1st Class Ryan Kile, and Senior Airman Joaquin Martinez, attend to Airman 1st Class Johnathan Erwin, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, fuels systems specialist, simulate finding him unconscious during a Confined Space Rescue Exercise conducted at the 917th Maintenance Squadron fuels section hangar, Sept. 11, 2010. Airman Kile and Martinez are fuels systems specialist assigned to the 917th Maintenance Squadron at Barksdale. Fuels personnel from the 917th Wing conducted the training for 917 WG and 2nd Bomb Wing personnel who work together under the Total Force Integration program at Barksdale AFB. Qualified confined space personnel assigned to the 917 MXS Fuels Section and authorized fire department personnel are required to have hands-on practice in removing simulated victims (such as dummies, mannequins, or actual persons) from actual or representative confined spaces having openings and portals like the types from which rescue is to be performed. The training, which is required Air Force wide, is work center specific where hazardous environments exist. Practice for each team member is conducted initially, and then required at least once every 12 months thereafter. Rescue personnel are trained on rescue duties and responsibilities, use of retrieval and rescue equipment, proper wear and use of personal protection equipment, CPR and basic first-aid. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Reser)