The Island’s emergency services came together for one of the largest training exercises in recent years on Tuesday night, simulating 2 cars colliding and going over a cliff in the dark with multiple casualties.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service worked alongside Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and HM Coastguard to put their specialist skills and training to the test. Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 from Lee-on-Solent was also involved in the dramatic exercise, which was played out at Cheverton Farm near Shorwell.
Paramedics and firefighters simulated reaching, freeing and treating those injured inside 2 vehicles, 1 of which was upside down. 8 casualties were involved with 6 of them trapped.
Meanwhile, Coastguard Rescue Officers from Ventnor and The Needles worked to secure a landing site for the Coastguard helicopter to transfer ‘critically ill’ casualties to the hospital.
The incident was allowed to evolve in real-time and incorporated all aspects of the emergency response.
Having undergone a period of enhanced training alongside local and regional partners, Isle of Wight paramedics were examined in delivery of an enhanced set of trauma and critical care management skills. The scenario also tested complex decision making and communication within and between different agencies and stress-tested both clinical and operational skills and systems.
Dr John Pike, medical lead for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, said:
“The IOW Ambulance Service delivers exceptional care to patients involved in serious incidents on a regular basis. Managing a complex multi-casualty trauma at night on an offshore island is, however, challenging at the best of times. High-fidelity training is vital to provide the most skilled and experienced IOW clinicians.
“This large-scale simulated incident incorporating the difficulties of darkness, multiple trapped casualties, remote locations, high wind and driving rain required a high level of clinical and operational leadership. Our staff needed to fully utilise all of their enhanced skills and decision-making to ensure the best outcomes for the patients involved. Working with colleagues from other agencies makes a huge difference to how we provide exceptional care to Isle of Wight patients.
“We are delighted to have had the constant support of all our partners to be able to run such a realistic and large-scale simulated incident. As a result of our commitment to training in enhanced skills we are delighted to be able to offer a new level of trauma and critical care to the people of the IOW.”
The incident was held with the kind support of Andrew, Claudia and Jack Hodgson at their farm in Shorwell, with around 80 participants and vehicles from many agencies involved including simulated patients, bystanders, clinical and command staff.
The media were not invited to the exercise due to COVID.
Tuesday’s exercise came just 24 hours before a real emergency involving all services at Arreton, which saw 13 casualties treated as a result of a bus leaving the road.
