SCVRD Clients Help Reduce
Combat Deaths
As the war in Iraq rages on, SCVRD clients are making a positive contribution toward reducing preventable combat deaths among U.S. soldiers.
Clients at the agency’s Pelham Road Work Training Center in Greenville assemble and pack combat medical supplies for Unconventional Medic, a division of North American Rescue.
The clients “take pride in what they’re doing because they know most of it is going to the military,” said Houston Matthews, Greenville center manager. “And almost everybody has some connection to the military.”
Bob Castellani, founder and president of North American Rescue, and Rob Miller, director of research and development, both have military medical backgrounds. They keep in close touch with active military personnel to keep product development current.
Up to 45 clients a day work on the contract, assembling litters, performing subassemblies on products and packing the 45-item backpacks and three smaller kits that can be attached to the belt or leg.
Sixty percent of combat deaths come from extremity bleeding; 33 percent from chest injuries; and 6 percent from airway obstructions, according to statistics provided by the company. The philosophy behind the Unconventional Medic is to provide the critical equipment for managing combat injuries until the soldier can reach a medical treatment facility.
The company estimates that use of its products can reduce preventable deaths by 60 to 90 percent.
North American Rescue has about 20 people on staff to handle administrative tasks and VR clients make up the workforce.
The center also provides adjacent warehouse space for the company and VR clients fill two slots there, order picking, pulling and receiving, and doing inventory, Matthews said.
Tommy Sweatman, quality control production supervisor for the company, is on site every day interacting with clients.
“So it’s really like working for industry,” Matthews said. “It’s real-world training.”
The advantage to the company is VR’s flexibility, he said.
“We can maneuver people to increase production,” Matthews said. “If we change what we’re doing every day, it doesn’t matter. Industry can’t do that.”
If deadlines get tight, as they sometimes do, there are few complaints from the clients.
“There’s a sense that they might save someone’s life,” he said.
About 200 backpacks, called Warrior Aid and Litter Kits (WALK), are shipped from the center each day; some directly to Iraq. Constructed so a litter can be slipped down the middle, the WALK’s pockets contain everything from tourniquets and dressings to splints and needle/catheters. All are in quick-release packaging and everything’s arranged in the same order for quick access.
Quality is critical and quality control is strict.
“If any one of the components is not done correctly, it could mean disaster on the battlefield,” said Jim Carino, chief operating officer for NAR.
Space has been set aside at the Greenville Work Training Center for training in use of the kits under simulated nighttime battleground conditions. A soldier in full gear must attend to a variety of combat injuries simulated by a computerized dummy that can actually bleed.
Sweatman said the military makes up the majority of the company’s customers, but plans call for expanding that base to anyone who carries a weapon.
“If you’re shooting a gun, you’re going to get shot at,” he said.
Carino said the partnership with SCVRD is working well because of the center’s ability to match services to needs, attention to detail, customer service excellence, and frank communication.
“It’s cost effective for us and it’s an effective use of tax dollars,” he said. “And, it’s a stepping stone to employment for the clients.”