The White Falcon - 30.07.1993, Qupperneq 7

‘Masters of Disasters’ keep base prepared
through extensive training program
Story and photo by J02 Carlos Bongioanni
SM2 A. J. Galliano, NAS Disaster Preparedness Specialist, trains
donning procedures for the MCU-2P mask.
(MOPP) levels explained
Each week brings a new crowd of faces to Naval Air Station (NAS),
Keflavfk, which means another round of training for the Disaster
Preparedness (DP) crew.
As part of the base’s indoctri-
nation program, DP provides
every Navy member coming to
Iceland basic information on,
among other things, surviving an
enemy chemical, biological or
radiological (CBR) attack. (Air
Force Operability provides simi-
lar training to in-coming Air Force
members.)
“Disaster Preparedness is here
to ensure personnel can prepare,
endure and recover from natural
and/or man made disasters,” said
DP Specialist, SM2 Charlie Cohn.
“Our training is also valuable
for exercises like Northern Vi-
king. This is probably going to be
the best exercise the base has ever
had because everybody is getting
involved, and the base has been
adequately trained,” added Cohn.
In addition to the indoc classes,
DP alsoprovides refresher courses
to commands who request it.
During the entire week prior to
newly arriving personnel on the the start of Northern Viking, DP
held two refresher courses a day,
as commands sought to ready their
people for the exercise.
“The courses are well worth it," stated ET3 Sonya Thomas, class
participant. “You know if you’re ever in the real thing, you’re not
going to panic because you’ve already gone through the drills and
have physically donned the mask.”
Level 0: Equipment issued, prepared and kept readily available
Level 1:
Overgarment and helmet worn; footwear covers, mask,
hood and gloves canned
Level 2: Overgarment, helmet and footwear covers worn; Mask,
hood and gloves carried
Level 3: Overgarment, helmet, footwear covers, mask and hood
worn; gloves carried
Level 4: Overgarment, helmet, footwear covers, mask, hood and
gloves worn
Wi
Note: All alarm conditions and MOPP levels are directed by
the Commander. MOPP levels may vary according to the
eat, but should always accompany the alarm condition
ellow = MOPP 2). If the MOPP level doesn't accompany the
*llcrm condtion, you should automatically assume MOPP 1 for
alarm
Donning the MCU-2P Mask
A. Stop breathing and close eyes.
B. Remove headgear.
C. Open carrier with left hand and remove mask with right hand.
D. Take mask by bottom straps.
E. Place straps against forehead tilt head back slightly to allow
chin up to rest under chin.
F. Pull head harness over head.
G. Tighten both neck straps with small jerks.
H. Clear the mask by exhaling forcefully.
I. Check the seal by placing palm over canister opening and
inhaling.
J. Open eyes and resume normal breathing.
K. Pull hood over head.
L. Tighten neck cord snugly around neck.
M. Don headgear and close carrier.
July 30,1993
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