Brockenhurst College students participate in hurricane disaster simulation
Uniformed Protective Services Students from Brockenhurst College played injured victims in a hurricane disaster simulation run by the University of Liverpool in Portsmouth recently.
The staged scenario at Fort Widley imitated the aftermath of a hurricane that caused severe flooding, landslides and collapsed building.
It was all part of the annual SIMEX series, which is the world’s largest international disaster response simulation initiative.
Emergency services and support staff were tested as they performed rescue operations to recover those crushed under masonry and rubble.
Brock students played injured and distressed people who were trapped and awaiting rescue.
The exercise was designed to develop and maintain responders’ skills, as well as give them valuable experience of working alongside partners.
Participating agencies included Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Humanitarian Training Provider RedR UK, medical data software specialists L2S2 and the University of Portsmouth.
Brock student Ethan Kettle said: ‘It’s really good to learn about what happens in these situations – it’s very realistic.”
Speaking to Portsmouth’s The News, Andy McCheyne of Hampshire Fire and Rescue said: “It’s a brilliant experience, especially for those who have not done it before.
“The role play and witnessing how things happen in a life real situation is so important,” he added.
Responses