The year was 2005. I was forward deployed to Kuwait and was serving as a Force Security Watch Officer for Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 33 (MSRON-33). MSRON-33 is part of the United States Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces (MESF). The primary mission of MSRON-33 is to conduct maritime security operations, which include defending high-value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports, and harbors against various threats12. They are also capable of conducting offensive combat operations when required1.
Well, now that you know what we do, it’s pretty east to see why our unit had been called up and why we had been deployed to Kuwait. Unfortunately, due to manning issues and some pretty bad screw-ups, all Chiefs were assigned to pair up with a JO (junior officer) and stand watch as either the Force Security Watch Officer or as the Assistant Force Security Watch Officer. So I was stuck behind a desk at the operation center, instead of out in the field with my troopers where I belonged.
We were newly arrived in theater and we were still learning the ropes, so to speak. As such, we had the outgoing Army unit on hand with an Army Lt. Col. providing operational support and training until we were ready to handle things and the official change of command had occurred.
So this particular night it was me and Lt. Rodrigues that pulled watch and I remember it like it was yesterday. Everything was going fine and quite honestly we were bored out of our minds. And that’s when the call came in over the radio, and it turned into one of the worst nights of my life.
“I need a MEDIVAC, NOW!”
At that instant, hearing those words over the PRC-117(f) radio, Lt. Rodriguez looked at me and I looked at him, and we jumped into action. I immediately got on the radio asking for the location, number of injured, status, and other relevant information (i.e. NATO 9 line medical Evacuation Request). Lt. Rodriguez got on the landline to call the Commodore and brief him. Once I had all the necessary information I reached for the second radio to call in the chopper. And that’s when everything went sideways.
Out of nowhere, we hear someone yell, DO NOT call that chopper. It was the Army Lt. Col., and he was telling us not to order the MEDIVAC? What The …. !?
Needless to say, as a Navy Chief with injured personnel in an AO (area of operation) requesting a MEDIVAC, I did not take too kindly to being told not to call it in. It turned into a shouting match until I was point-blank told to stand down and that I was being given a direct order not to call the chopper. Just use the landline and call for an ambulance.
“BullShi**. The man on the ground makes the call sir. The man on the ground is requesting a MEDIVAC bird, and by God we are going to give it to him.”
Chief, you stand relieved of duty.
The young man died waiting for the ambulance.
So what does that have to do with us? Why are you reading this on an about us page? It’s simple. That one single event changed my life and I swore I would never allow another human being to die because of bad decision-making, bad procedures, or a bad chain of command with lousy communication.
In short, The Environmental, Health, and Safety Solutions Group (just call us EHSS for short, pronounced “S”) believes in a world where at the end of the day, everyone goes home.
Where organizations thrive through sustainable practices and clear communications. Where protecting people and the planet is at the heart of every decision we make and where preparation and being ready for the unexpected is commonplace.
This is why our core belief and company motto is “Fortuna Favet Paratu” – Latin for, Fortune Favors the Prepared.
So if you want to work with a company that is absolutely committed to providing you with world-class safety programs, and top-tier training, and you are ready to elevate your Environmental, health, and safety programs, so that “everyone goes home” give us a call. We would love to be your partners in creating something amazing.