JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
More than 100 medics from across the National Capital Area joined forces last weekend and provided relief to 144 air show patrons who experienced minor injuries during the 2012 Joint Service Open House and Air Show activities here May 18 - 20.
"It was more than just 79th Medical Wing medics manning the comfort stations, first aid station, and ambulances at the Joint Service Open House," said Colonel Rudolph Cachuela, 779th Medical Group commander. "Our joint partners from Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical provided Navy and Army medics and ambulances to support the Joint Service Open House. We must also acknowledge the many civilian medics, particularly from Prince George's County, and Southern Maryland Hospital Center who were also integral in making this a safe and successful air show."
The 2012 JSOH and Air Show afforded the public an opportunity to meet the men and women of the Armed Forces and to see military equipment through the efforts of active duty, Guard and Reserve service members, as well as civilian employees, retirees and family members. All JSOH attendees, whether they are a performer, volunteer or JSOH visitor, were allowed to utilize these comfort stations during their time on the Andrews flightline.
"There was one comfort station on each corner of the Joint Base Andrews flightline," said Tech. Sgt. Shane Matti, 779th Medical Operations Squadron cardio pulmonary technician and comfort station attendant. "While medical foot teams continuously roamed the flightline throughout the air show, comfort stations provided stationary medical relief that might have been easier for guests to locate than a roaming medic."
While the primary duty of these stations was to provide relief of minor injuries with amenities such as sun screen, band-aids, water, shade and a spot to take a quick break, no injury was too small to bring to a comfort station attendant's attention.
"If an injury was too severe for one of our stations to handle, each site had a golf cart ready to transport people to the first-aid station," said Senior Airman Christine Neff, 779th Medical Operations Squadron cardiopulmonary technician and comfort station attendant.
Additionally, with more-than-perfect weather conditions forecasted for the weekend, a larger-than-average influx of air show patrons were expected so medical comfort stations were slated to stay open as long as they were needed.
"We were open until approximately 6:30 p.m. each night of the JSOH, well after the last aerial demonstration had flown," said Neff. "We wanted to be able to provide the best in medical care to the weekend's guests, assuring them we were glad they were here and we were readily available for everyone if they needed us."