From Electronic Warfare to Combating COVID

14 Signal Regiment (EW) LAD

From Electronic Warfare to Combating COVID

Like many REME personnel across the United Kingdom, Soldiers from 14 Sig Regt (EW) LAD found themselves facing a new challenge in the fight against COVID-19. LCpl Williams, LCpl Jones and LCpl Allan share their experience of Op RESCRIPT.

During the Coronavirus pandemic multiple LAD personnel were aligned to the Regiment-led COVID Support Force (CSF) as part of Op RESCRIPT. The taskings included COVID-19 Mobile Testing Unit activities and providing additional workforce to the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) tasking. These involved driving the Ambulances or Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV) and assisting the paramedics in their duties, as well as conducting decontamination duties to clean the vehicles.

WAST Tasking Group

The WAST task started with a two-day training package in Chepstow. Day one of the training consisted of different stands designed to give you a brief overview of things we might be asked to do and going over the use of specialist equipment. The first stand showed us the different vehicles we would be working out of, showing us where all the kit and equipment was stored, how to operate the radio and computer interface system as well as how to operate the tail lift on the ambulances. The second stand was going through all the medical kit in the back of the ambulance in more detail. We were shown the contents of the different response kit bags and how you would use various items within them, as well as being shown things like the O2 and N2O cylinders and how to set it all up ready for use. We then moved onto the third stand where we were all fitted for various PPE items we would be required to wear in different situations; being shown how to don and doff each item correctly and in the correct order so you don’t contaminate yourself or others while doing so. The last stand of the day involved being shown how to use all the different handling aids, from the folding chair at the back which has an attachment track for going down stairs easily, to the spinal boards and the ELK which is a blow-up chair to aid getting people off the floor in a safe manner.

On the second day we received an overview of driving situations and different exemptions to the law that would apply to us, before then moving onto the practical driving assessment section. We completed a course set up on the camp to test our manoeuvring before then moving onto the public roads to demonstrate our ability to conduct this new capability safely. We were all very surprised at how easy the ambulances were to drive and how responsive they were for their size. The last stand was on being taken through scenarios by one of the paramedics, being shown what kit they would take to different situations and the process they would use, as well as how to set up the kit that would be needed, such as the ECG machine or the defibrillator. The training overall was brief but had loads of information; we all enjoyed it and were very keen to get to our duty Ambulance Stations and into the thick of it all.

Following the two-day training package, we deployed to Llanelli Cadet Centre, where we were accommodated for the duration of the tasking. During this period, we were split up into different 12-hour shifts consisting of either days or nights, working out of different Ambulance Stations in Llanelli, Neath, Llandudno, Llandeilo, Swansea or Ammanford. The shifts were either on a RRV with a Paramedic or an advanced Paramedic, or on a ‘truck’ (Ambulance). From the word go we were thrown into the deep end, responding to live 999 emergency calls and often attending up to seven jobs within the 12hour shift period. We assisted a wide variety of tasks, from LCpl Williams assisting a gentleman with severed fingers to Sgt Gee carrying out CPR for a sustained period on a cardiac arrest patient in full Red PPE. Some of the tasks were very demanding and challenging to all involved. Overall, it was an utterly fantastic experience and a really good insight into the job that these talented people do for our country. It was very humbling to see how welcomed we were by the WAST and the locals, whom we were assisting on a daily basis.

Mobile Testing Unit and ‘Train the Trainers’

During the COVID-19 period, Cpl Doyle and LCpl Jones of the LAD were assigned to conduct the COVID-19 Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) Train the Trainer (TtT) course. This involved two-day training in unit, followed by an additional one-day training package in Tern Hill where they learnt how to set up an MTU. Following this, they deployed to Grantham where they were assessed on everything that they had been taught in the last few days of training.

They were then tasked on multiple occasions to train the various rotations of personnel within the Regiment, covering a variety of ranks from different departments in order for them to be deployed out to an MTU site to conduct testing on local civilians.

An MTU has a very similar set out to a rolling replenishment, with extra precautions put in place to safeguard the personnel

conducting the tests. There was a lot of information to take on board in a very short period of time outside of our normal daily business and routine. All members adapted well and pushed forward to conduct an outstanding job for the duration. Overall, the tasking was an enjoyable experience and it was good to see that the Soldiers we trained had taken on board what we taught them and employed it out on the ground. They were now providing a key supporting role to emergency services and local councils/government whilst remaining safe at all times.

Essential Firm Base Personnel

When COVID-19 first started to be announced in the world news, the decision was made from the LAD Chain of Command that we would all work extended hours to get ahead of the game and maximise the Regiment’s vehicle availability in order to enable them to deploy more effectively if they were required to do so. Due to the hard work and commitment to the task, the Regiment’s vehicle availability went up to a very respectful 93%.

As the situation progressed and the virus became more prevalent in the UK, it was decided that only a core element of personnel would remain in work to conduct essential firm base tasks with the remainder being dispersed awaiting tasking at 48 hours NTE. Over this period, because the vehicle availability was so high and the remaining vehicles were long term ‘Non-Taskworthy awaiting Lv 4 repair’, we were able to maintain all platforms held at readiness to c.90%, whilst also having the white space to complete additional tasks that we would not normally have had the time to focus fully on. Infrastructure and Departments were re-organised, creating a leaner and more effective LAD structure and processes to best meet the challenges and needs looking ahead to A2025. Also, during this time, having minimal external pressures, we were able to carry out contingency training in case we were called upon to back fill either the WAST tasking or COVID testing elements. Concurrently, we were also maintaining the Regiment’s holdings; conducting the required servicing, maintenance and inspections of the wider Regimental equipment, ensuring our junior tradesmen were still getting valuable time on the tools.

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