Canadian Medics Oversee Ambulance Driver Training

By Cpl D

Medical Technicians supporting Operation UNIFIER, in Ukraine work in several roles at the International Peace and Security Centre (IPSC), including providing mentorship to instructors of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) Combat First Aid program and providing medical coverage. Medical Technicians (Med Tech) offer diverse education and experiences, which enables them to provide medical support in a variety of manners from working in a Unit Medical Station to front line medical coverage. Here on Op UNIFIER the Canadian Med Techs are working in the UMS along-side American counterparts to provide healthcare to all Canadian and American soldiers involved in the Task Force, as well as other partnered countries taking part in the joint-effort operations, such as Lithuanian, Polish, and Danish troops.

Not only are the Med Techs providing medical support to the soldiers in the UMS, they also go out on ranges to provide coverage while soldiers are instructing and mentoring the combat arms trades. They take an LSVW Ambulance to the ranges that is equipped with all lifesaving interventions such as AEDs, Oxygen, massive hemorrhage control, emergency medications and more.

To assist Med Techs with their daily tasks, ambulance driver duties and responsibilities are frequently shared with soldiers of the combat arms support. Most of the soldiers are already familiar with the LSVW vehicle, having gone through an intense driving course back in Canada.  However, there are some modifications made to the ambulance version. An LSVW Ambulance Conversion Course must be held to familiarize the soldiers who will be assisting the Med Techs as drivers and assistants, which involves a brief lecture on some of the first aid equipment carried in the vehicle, as well as how to use the unique mechanical system required for load and unload casualties into both top and bottom positions, as it is a precise and step by step process. Moreover, they learn how to assist in stretcher carrying, how to work the emergency lights and sirens and when to do so. They also experience driving the ambulance, as well as being in the back of the vehicle while it is moving, to allow the opportunity to understand the differences of sitting sideways or backwards while performing medical techniques while in a moving vehicle.

The most recent Ambulance Conversion course was conducted for over 20 Canadian soldiers who are employed at the IPSC, providing a reliable cadre of drivers to assist the Med Techs in the operation and gives medical personnel the opportunity to fulfill all areas of responsibilities associated with Op UNIFIER.