Training day for emergency responders

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) ran an emergency simulation day for medical students, NSW Rural Fire Service and VRA Rescue NSW on August 22.

Run in partnership with NSW Ambulance, the day aimed to further develop interagency collaboration and optimise responses to real life emergency situations.

Wyong Hospital Emergency Medicine Staff Specialist and NSW Ambulance Associate Director of Medical Services, Dr Hemal Patel, said teams from NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue NSW and medical students from the Central Coast Clinical School (University of Newcastle) took part in a series of workshops and simulated emergency scenarios with CCLHD staff at Charmhaven RFS.

“We created a number of realistic scenarios for teams to practise their response to emergency situations,” he said.

“This included a burning building, a pedestrian hit by a car and a person injured while using heavy machinery.

“We used actors and set up the simulations to make them look and feel as realistic as possible to give teams the opportunity to practise their skills from the pre-hospital care they provide right through to transferring the critically unwell patient to an emergency department (ED).

“It was all about supporting the learning of new procedures and the development of critical thinking skills so we are better equipped in emergency situations.

“A shared training experience like this has a range of benefits – firstly, it allows us all to come together and share skills and knowledge.

“It also creates a close understanding of the different roles we play while building relationships and fostering a sense of teamwork between local emergency services and our ED staff.

“This ultimately leads to better, safer outcomes for our patients and the whole community.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the training promoted collaboration between paramedics, doctors, nurses and all emergency first responders.

“Simulation training days like this are vital for fostering productive working relationships between health and emergency agencies,” he said.

“Paramedics, emergency first responders and emergency department doctors and nurses work together every day to provide the very best care to the community.

“Our paramedics are continuously training and running through real life multi-agency simulated scenarios on a regular basis further optimises our responses to major incidents.”