Northern Ireland’s emergency services, community groups and voluntary agencies will join forces to run a range of multiple scenarios and training exercises for healthcare students during ‘Resilience Day’ on Saturday 23 March at the Ulster University campus in Derry.
‘Resilience Day’ will see the various agencies in Northern Ireland such as the PSNI, military reserves, ambulance and fire services, first responders etc, come together on Saturday 23 March. They will roll out several ‘incidents’ to enable paramedic, nursing and allied healthcare students to put into practice what they have been taught over the previous years, according to Mary Marren, Event Co-Ordinator and Lecturer in Nursing at Ulster University.
“Approximately 450 students will take part on the day – 360 adult and mental health nursing students, 40 paramedic students and 50 allied health professional students will be divided into 54 teams of eight. “At least 20 scenarios, to will run concurrently, will include mass casualties, community and in-hospital chaotic events, natural disasters etc,” she told ‘Emergency Services Ireland’.
So, what first prompted and led Ulster University to hold an event such as ‘Resilience Day’? “Traditionally healthcare students do not see themselves as having the leadership capabilities or skillsets to respond appropriately to chaotic/crisis events. We wanted to change this perspective and allow students to experience such chaotic/crisis events in a safe environment so that they can build resilience to respond appropriately in such situations,” noted Marren.
“Simulation was the teaching method of choice as building muscle memory helps respondents to increase their likelihood of responding to a stressful event in an appropriate way as opposed to trying to make sense of what has just happened.
“The use of live actors enhances the fidelity of the simulation exercise, providing invaluable learning for all involved. Derry City has encountered much crisis events over the years and therefore the community organisations were keen to get involved and see this as learning for all.
“By coming together, participating and sharing information we each get a sense of each other’s roles within the community and have an opportunity to form strong bonds allowing us all to work together effectively should we encounter crisis events in the future.”
Mary Marren said that they would very much welcome to hear from EMS agencies from the Republic of Ireland who may be interested in taking part in ‘Resilience Day’.
For further details email Mary Marren [email protected] or Niall Carty [email protected]
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