A DISAPPOINTING READ

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. John "Chip" Coleman
  • Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Medical Center
Via e-mail --  I read the article "Too Much Chlorine in Pool Leaves Combat Controllers Coughing, Vomiting" (May/June 2008 issue of Torch, page 5) and was kind of disappointed.

In the article you mentioned, "The base fire department responded to the medical emergency." Well, that may be, but I can tell you that two ambulances and an AMBUS responded with emergency room and flight medicine medics/emergency medical technicians for treatment and transport to the emergency room. The ER hospital staff came together as a team to treat the combat control students and handled the mass casualty situation very well.

The hospital staff that was a part of this unfortunate incident was commended by everyone for the quick treatment, transport and overall outcome. The article I read mentions nothing about the hospital, ER or its medics. As the flight chief of emergency services, I can tell you that they did an awesome job that day. I think their performance is worthy of mentioning in that article.

We appreciate your feedback and further insight on the noteworthy emergency response to this mass casualty mishap.