Base helps dialysis center provide ‘life-sustaining’ treatment Published Sept. 17, 2008 By Daryl Mayer 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- For several hundred people in the Miami Valley, the sustained power outage caused by the recent wind storm left them facing stark circumstances - either they find the treatment they need or die. "We call dialysis a life-sustaining treatment, because without it the patient will die," said Mike Sobecki, CEO of the Dayton Regional Dialysis South in Centerville. Once he and his medical director, Dr. Lawrence Klein, saw power for their facility was out, they began searching for ways to get the power needed to treat their 350 patients. Nearby Wright-Patterson seemed a likely candidate to possess a large transportable electrical generator. "We were pleased that we had the means and the authority to take this action to save our fellow citizens," said Col. Bradley Spacy, 88th Air Base Wing commander. "We take great pride in being trained, prepared and equipped for all contingencies." Air Force Instruction 10-802, Military Support to Civil Authorities, spells out circumstances where bases can commit resources to "prevent human suffering or save lives," according to Steve Van Degrift, 88th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness officer. "When the call came in from the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, we quickly found out we had a 200 kilowatt generator that was available," Mr. Van Degrift said. "Once we found out it would meet their needs, we made arrangements for Montgomery County officials to pick it up from the base." The generator is a standby unit normally used if one of the other base generators goes down, he said. For now, the unit is serving a higher purpose. "We still have no phones or computers, but we are treating patients," Mr. Sobecki said. "Thank goodness, the base came through."