ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Chapter 8 8-10 ATP 4-90 18 June 2020 location is known to maneuver units, they do not disrupt friendly movement, and they are protected from enemy fire and maneuver. Treatment teams situated in close proximity to maneuvering companies in contact must be prepared to withdraw to preplanned, alternate positions on short notice. When maneuver companies anticipate large numbers of casualties, the battalion S-4 and medical platoon leader coordinate with the brigade S-4 and brigade surgeon cell to receive OPCON of one or more treatment teams from the BSMC. The medical platoon leader or battalion surgeon employs one treatment team in the combat trains and the others in close support of maneuver companies. Maneuver battalion planners and staff do not place medical treatment facilities (such as the battalion aid station) near distribution points or other targets of the opposing force. Considerations for the placement of the battalion aid station should include— Tactical situation/commander’s plan. Expected areas of high casualty density. Security. Protection afforded by defilade or engineer dig support. Evacuation time, distance, and accessible routes. Solid ground with good drainage. Near an area suitable for helicopter landing. Available communications. Additional space for a potential patient decontamination site if required. MEDICAL COMPANY (AREA SUPPORT) Distinct medical support elements, (such as Role 3 hospitals, forward resuscitative and surgical teams, medical company (dental services), and other hospital augmentation teams) operate to support BCT and other organizations’ operations. However, these medical units usually remain under the C2 of a medical brigade. The medical company (area support) provides Role 1 and Role 2 medical support to units located in its AO and organizations without organic Role 1 medical support. The medical company (area support) provides Role 2 medical support on an area support basis. The medical company (area support) can task- organize and is tailorable to the OE and mission requirements to support decisive action operations. The medical company (area support) is assigned to a multifunctional medical battalion. The company provides treatment of patients with disease and non-battle injury, combat and operational stress reaction, triage of mass casualties, emergency medical treatment, advanced trauma management, initial resuscitation and stabilization, and prepares the further evacuation of patients incapable of returning to duty within 72 hours. The area support medical company’s treatment squads are capable of dividing into two treatment teams that can operate independently of the medical company (area support) for a limited time. The company’s medical evacuation (ground) section evacuates patients to the treatment squads of the company from units in the company’s assigned area of operations. The structure of a medical company (area support) has a number of significant differences in capability when compared to the BSB’s BSMC. The company does not have organic preventive medicine, physical therapy, or medical equipment maintenance and repair capabilities. The company has a limited behavioral health capability and CBRN defensive capability. A medical company (area support) has a smaller medical evacuation capability than a BSMC with fewer ambulances and assigned crews. The medical logistics staff of the company forms the brigade medical supply office. There is also only one medical supply sergeant in the headquarters of the medical company (area support). FORWARD RESUSCITATIVE AND SURGICAL TEAM A forward resuscitative and surgical team may augment the BSMC to provide the brigade with forward surgical support. The role of the forward resuscitative and surgical team is to initiate surgical support forward for a BCT or at echelons above brigade unit. Patients who are not transportable due to their medical condition may require resuscitative surgical care from a team, which may be collocated with a BSMC or medical company (area support). They provide forward resuscitation to stabilize non-transportable patients for