Members of the 61st Medical Battalion, Tennessee State Guard, gathered in Smyrna October 26-29 for their annual four-day training event. Most members work in the medical field day-to-day as physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and medical support staff. While they train as local teams in each region once a month, this annual training as a group ensures the all-volunteer force is prepared to aid their fellow citizens in the event of a disaster or emergency.
This year’s scenario involved a simulated tornado event with more than 65 wounded “casualties.” The 61st practiced triaging patients, determining immediate field care, transferring patients to a field hospital, treating at the field hospital, and moving patients on to appropriate civilian hospitals for further treatment.
As part of the Tennessee Military Department, the 61st MEDBN works alongside the Tennessee National Guard, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Department of Health, and the civilian medical community, so practicing the processes involved in tracking patients, communicating among agencies, maintaining organization under strain, and following care directives results in the most effective disaster medical response.
The 61st Medical Battalion is accepting new members to join the mission and being ready to respond when needed. If you have medical training, or if you are interested in supporting this effort in other ways, visit https://www.tn.gov/military/who-we-are/state-guard.html.