Thirty CFA road rescue brigade members took part in Careflight’s MediSim program to gain specialist trauma training at the weekend (22-23 October).
Members from Dandenong, Dromana, Loch, Mirboo North, Plenty, Epping, Lakes Entrance, Monbulk, Mt Beauty, Nar Nar Goon, Daylesford, Melton, Apollo Bay, Werribee and Ballarat used life-like mannequins and a car crash rescue simulator to learn how to treat a patient in a high-pressure environment.
Participants went through six scenarios including motorcyclists suffering major injuries and a car person trapped after a car accident. Crews were guided by a team of doctors, paramedics and nurses.
State Road Rescue Coordinator, Senior Station Officer John Katakouzinos said this training ensured firefighters were well prepared when called to a road accident rescue where medical treatment was required, particularly in remote areas.
“Members taking part in this program need to be equipped with a range of skills because they can be first on the scene at a road rescue in a remote area for quite some time before an ambulance arrives,” Mr Katakouzinos said.
“Every second counts in these situations so this course gives our members the tools and knowledge to start working on a patient if paramedics located further away have not yet been able to reach the scene.”
CFA has put 40 to 50 members through the program every year since 2014 because it delivers basic medical training that could be the difference between life and death.
“While in other years we’ve shared sessions with other agencies, this year we requested a course just for CFA members because of strong interest. This shows how valuable our members see MediSim in assisting them to carry out their important work,” Mr Katakouzinos said.
MediSim program co-ordinator Colin Brown said CFA participants performed the exercises competently and took the program seriously.
“It was clear from the way they carried out tasks that these participants were there to learn. Each and every CFA member in the program demonstrated they were dedicated to protecting their community,” Mr Brown said.
“They worked effectively as a team and are now competent in performing this life-saving work.”
More than 3000 emergency service members have taken part in the program.
Author: CFA Media