Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Earthquake Exercise keeps the Pressure on at Naval Hospital Bremerton

Image of Military personnel during an annual earthquake response exercise. 1011 - Triage, treat and decontaminate… Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Letesa Espina, assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, and part of the command’s Decontamination team, cares for a mock victim potentially exposed to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and/or high explosive agent(s) during Operation Black Wind, an annual earthquake response exercise held July 15, 2021, to assess how to cope and contend with a tremor and the possible hazards, potential casualties and probable aftershocks (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton public affairs officer).

Sitting astride a sizable fault line dissecting Puget Sound, Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) continues to prepare - structurally, organizationally, and now with and without pressure - to respond to any seismic activity impacting the area.

In conjunction with Citadel Rumble, an annual earthquake response exercise for Navy commands in the Pacific Northwest, NHB held Operation Black Wind to assess how to cope and contend with a tremor and the possible hazards, potential casualties and probable aftershocks, July 15, 2021.

"Based on our current hazard vulnerability assessment, an earthquake is one of the most likely significant disasters to happen. This training scenario tests our response capabilities," said Terry Lerma, NHB medical treatment facility emergency manager. "Holding this exercise keeps us from being complacent, helps improve our muscle and mind memory to respond quickly, and we also get to work with our community partners and other first responders."

The scenario for Operation Black Wind unfolded with a sudden and significant seismic event occurring in the early summer afternoon.

The earthquake, and resultant shock-wave, lasted approximately one minute. Staff, as well as patients and visitors, were immediately informed to "drop, cover and hold" until the "all clear" announcement was made.

Coincidentally - and just as unexpectedly - a number of active duty staff members suddenly became ill, possibly due to an overturned tanker truck transporting hazardous material on nearby State Highway 3, which spilled content on the immediate environment.

The sickened Sailors were at the command fitness facility and began complaining of respiratory difficulties, blurred vision, headaches and nausea.

"We had 12 Sailors exposed to some unknown natural or manmade liquid, solid, vapor, or gas. A hazardous material - HAZMAT - spill is dangerous. Once released from whatever and wherever, it is known to cause sickness, even possible death to humans and other animals, as well as damage the environment," Lerma said.

Past earthquakes exercises were scripted to develop teachable skills in handling such potential scenarios from mass casualty inbound to mass evacuation outbound. This time around, a unique twist was thrown into the mix. NHB's decontamination (DECON) team was activated to treat those exposed to the HAZMAT contaminant(s).

"It's imperative that protective measures and proper decontamination of patients exposed to chemical or biological agents occurs to safeguard them and avoid the risk of contaminating and exposing others," Lerma stressed.

The DECON team is responsible to triage, treat, and decontaminate actual and/or potential victims exposed to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and/or high explosive agents before they can enter the hospital. They do that by deploying the portable decontamination system, a specifically designed portable shower tent constructed along the lines of the assembly line principle. A suspected contaminated person enters one end and is taken through a series of cleaning and decontamination steps before coming out the other side.

"We have approximately 60 trained personnel on our DECON team, which give us the capability to set up and operate two systems, simultaneously if needed, to completely decontaminate patients exposed to a chemical, biological or radiological agent," explained Lerma. "Once the word was passed to activate, they are charged with getting to our DECON site, getting dressed in the hazardous waste operator suit, and setting up the DECON system. Our goal is to always be ready within 10 to 15 minutes when such an emergency arises to provide that vital layer of protection for the hospital and staff, and care for the patient."

During this exercise, when the DECON team set up their systems with the shower tent to begin the process of caring for the mock victims, there was no water. The well was dry.

The hydrant (water) pressure on the compound had been lost due to the quake.

"No disaster ever goes according to plan. We wanted to test our team on how they dealt with this. Did they know to contact the incident commander and/or command duty officer to inform them of the catastrophic loss of water pressure? They did just that," commented Lerma.

Navy Region Northwest Fire Department arrived on scene with Engine 63 to provide the needed water supply for the DECON team needs. There was approximately 750 gallons readily available.

"To our knowledge, this is the first time, at least at Navy Medicine commands, to have a fire engine pump hundreds of gallons of water to a DECON team to use in helping decontaminate patients. The cooperation and support from the Region fire department was integral and vital for success. We also got to determine how long the water supply lasted, and when to request additional support to replenish that fire engine from another source," said Lerma.

Along with the Sailors exposed to some unknown HAZMAT agent, initial reports from the Rapid Emergency Action Plan team, comprised of Facilities department staff, also showed some structural damage. They also ensured that backup generator power was available if needed.

You also may be interested in...

Hurricane: Hospital Closure

Infographic
11/16/2022
 Image of a hospital with a closed sign. Use this graphic if your MTF closes due to a hurricane.

Disaster Alert if a hospital has to close during a hurricane.

Hurricane: Disaster Referral Waiver

Infographic
11/16/2022
This image describes what you need to do to obtain a blanket PCM referral waiver in the event of a hurricane

if you have TRICARE Prime, your Primary Care Manager (PCM) provides most of your care. If you see a TRICARE-authorized specialty provider without a referral, you have to pay Point-of-Service (POS) charges.

Hurricane Essential Resources

Infographic
11/16/2022
 This graphic highlights emergency resources people can use before emergencies to be disaster ready.

This graphic highlights emergency resources people can use before emergencies to be disaster ready.

Hurricane Readiness Kit

Infographic
11/16/2022
 Before a hurricane prepare a hurricane readiness kit including important documents, prescriptions, and family emergency plan.

Before a hurricane prepare a hurricane readiness kit including important documents, prescriptions, and family emergency plan.

Hurricane: Getting Emergency Prescriptions

Infographic
11/16/2022
 This infographic describes the process and tips for getting emergency prescription refills when a state of emergency is declared. Beneficiaries can take their prescription bottle to any TRICARE network pharmacy

During a hurricane, sometimes TRICARE will authorize emergency prescription refills. If authorized, take you prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy.

Earthquake: Referral Waiver

Infographic
11/14/2022
To promote access to needed services during or after a disaster a PCM referral waiver allows enrollees to seek care without a referral from their PCM.

To promote access to needed services during or after a disaster a PCM referral waiver allows enrollees to seek care without a referral from their PCM.

Earthquake: Prepare Before 2

Infographic
11/14/2022
It’s important to secure heavy items, make a family emergency communications plan, and a supply kit to prepare for an earthquake

It’s important to secure heavy items, make a family emergency communications plan, and a supply kit to prepare for an earthquake

Earthquakes: Getting Prescriptions

Infographic
11/14/2022
 During a disaster, TRICARE may authorize emergency prescription resources.

During a disaster, TRICARE may authorize emergency prescription resources.

Earthquake: Essential Resources

Infographic
11/14/2022
 Get critical information when you need it by following this essential resources guide.

Get critical information when you need it by following this essential resources guide.

Earthquake: Protect Yourself

Infographic
11/14/2022
Drop, cover, and hold on to help protect yourself during an earthquake.

Drop, cover, and hold on to help protect yourself during an earthquake.

Earthquake: Prepare Before

Infographic
11/14/2022
The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it happens.  Plan. Prepare. Protect. Natural Resource Guide. The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it happens. Image of supplies. Follow these tips: practice drop, cover, and hold on with others; make an emergency plan; gather emergency supplies, protect your home by securing loose objects and learning how to turn off utilities. Be ready at a moment’s notice. Visit: www.tricare.mil/Disaster

The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it happens. Plan. Prepare. Protect. Natural Resource Guide. The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it happens. Image of supplies. Follow these tips: practice drop, cover, and hold on with others; make an emergency plan; gather emergency supplies, protect your home by securing loose objects and learning how to turn off utilities. Be ready at a moment’s notice. Visit: www.tricare.mil/Disaster

Earthquake: After an Earthquake

Infographic
11/14/2022
 After an earthquake it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe.

After an earthquake it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe.

Disaster Alert: Stormy Background

Infographic
11/10/2022
Disaster Alert

Disaster Alert, be ready a moments notice

Disaster Alert: Tropical Storm

Infographic
11/10/2022
 Tropical Storm: Disaster alert graphic that says, "Disaster Alert: Tropical Storm Hurricane" with an image of trees blowing in wind and rain.

Disaster Alert for Tropical Storms

Disaster Alert: Earthquake

Infographic
11/10/2022
 A disaster alert has been activated because of an earthquake.

Disaster Alert for an Earthquake

Page 1 of 3 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 24, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery