The 102nd Intelligence Wing Supports the Local Community with Medical Stations for Summer Events

  • Published
  • By Mr. Timothy D. Sandland
  • 102nd Intelligence Wing
Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass. --  At the request of the Town of Bourne Fire Department, the 102nd Intelligence Wing provided equipment and personnel in support of several upcoming events this summer.

Over a dozen members of the 267th Combat Communications Squadron and the 102nd Logistics Readiness Flight delivered, set up, and trained members of the Bourne Fire Department on the use of air conditioning and generator equipment, as well as the portable shelters the equipment supports.

These shelters will be in place for various events taking place in the town this summer including the 2014 Pan Mass Challenge and the Cape Cod Canal Centennial celebration and fireworks display. According to their website, the Pan-Mass Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Canal Centennial celebrates the historic canal with a number of events during the week of July 25th through August 3rd and is expected to draw large numbers of residents and tourists alike.

The portable shelters have been set up as emergency medical stations in two primary locations. One has been installed on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus, as well as an additional location on the causeway leading to Mashnee Island. According to Chief Master Sergeant Jason Mello of the 267th, "Instead of calling an ambulance or sending them to a local emergency room, they can actually treat folks right at that facility. It saves a lot of money, especially for the person, because they aren't paying for an ambulance ride."

Both locations provide paramedics a temperature controlled, clean and safe environment in which to care for individuals who may be suffering from dehydration, other heat-related injuries, or minor bumps and bruises. The medical stations provide a service to the community, as in many cases; treatment on site may preclude a potentially expensive ambulance ride to the emergency room.

The 102nd Intelligence Wing has provided similar support to the community of Bourne during the summer months for the last dozen or so years. In addition to the benefit to the town, this partnership also pays dividends to members of Otis Air National Guard Base as it provides additional opportunities to train personnel on equipment that is assigned to the unit. Chief Mello went on to say "it's great to give back to the community and get out there so folks don't just see us during times of disaster."