D-M Volunteers work to slow measles outbreak

  • Published
  • By Capt. John Napier
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  What started as an e-mail from the Pima County Health Department asking for the 355th Medical Group's help quickly turned into a volunteer team of 32 Davis-Monthan civilians, enlisted and officers responding to immunize more than 700 civilians at a free clinic, May 3, at Rillito Racetrack in Tucson.

"The outbreak put a significant strain on the resources of the county," said Lt. Col. Mary Brueggemeyer, 355th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander. It was then when the decision was made to coordinate the volunteers and assist the county during one of the nation's largest measles outbreaks.

When the e-mail for assistance came in, Colonel Brueggemeyer considered who would coordinate the volunteer efforts and contribute to make the event a success.

"I assigned Lieutenant (Stacianne) Boling and Lt. Col. (Michael) Wood (chief of aerospace medicine and public health emergency officer) to lead the coordination effort because of their leadership, expertise and familiarization with the Pima County personnel," she added.

"I just thought it would be good for the community," said 1st Lt. Stacianne Boling, public health officer. "It was awesome to see the response and to see how well we all worked together to get the job done."

The team from D-M ran a complete clinic instead of being spread out to the other three clinics in the Tucson area that weekend.

"This turned out to be a very successful approach as our people were able to function with a familiar group of medical providers and chain of command," said Colonel Brueggemeyer.

The team included physicians and nurses who provided triage and counseling. The medical technicians provided the shots and the medical administrators assisted in record keeping and patient flow. Finally, there were interpreters as well.

"I was asked to volunteer because of my ability to translate Spanish," said Airman 1st Class Nicholas Traverso, an analysis operator with the 42nd Electronic Combat Squadron. "But, I actually helped a hard-of-hearing lady too because of my knowledge of sign language. It was just a good experience overall."

"If somebody had questions about allergies and the immunizations, the doctors responded immediately to their concerns," said Airman 1st Class Amy Easton, public health technician. "It was a good cause and I'm glad we had the chance to help. We (inoculated) people from age 90 to little kids out there and some of them didn't even have shot records -- until now."

The volunteers did not wear their Air Force uniforms because of liability issues and for the need to blend in with the community, Lieutenant Boling said, but that did not stop the people from figuring out who was helping.

Once the people found out the volunteers were in the Air Force, they proceeded to tell all sorts of stories and mentioned how thankful they were, Airman Easton said.

"I'd volunteer again," said Airman Traverso. "I would encourage more people to volunteer when given the chance."

"We will continue to work with Pima County throughout this outbreak and in the future to maximize the health of our community on and off base," said Colonel Brueggemeyer. "The gates of this base do not prevent the spread of disease and most of our families live within the community. In a public emergency, the entire community must come together to stop the disease outbreak."