Mock emergency operations

[RescueRanger]

AN emergency response operation is no laughing matter, even if it is a mock training exercise. But a recent simulated air-crash exercise at Islamabad’s airport was just that.
What amused many observers of this training exercise was the sight of ‘passengers’ taking their own sweet time to descend the truck-mounted stairways instead of sliding down emergency chutes, and rescuers casually carrying ‘injured passengers’ slumped across their shoulders. There was absolutely no sense of urgency. Such performances may cause hilarity amongst onlookers but can also damage public confidence in the authorities’ state of preparedness for an actual emergency.

Annual exercises of the sort are an integral part of emergency preparedness training at our airports. They provide the means to develop adequate responses and beef up coordination among various airport agencies, airlines and other organisations in the event of an actual crash at the airport. This means that such exercises must be made as realistic as possible. For instance, casualty simulation team members can appear as real victims with make-up to depict blood and perhaps in positions to alert the ‘rescuers’ and ‘paramedics’ to the possibility of broken bones and other hidden injuries.

The exercise should also see activity in the airport terminal with behind-the-scenes emergency coordination activities and interaction with volunteer staff acting as the ‘victims’ family and friends. There could also be a telephone simulation team to take ‘public inquiries’ to test the airport’s ability to handle such calls in the event of a real emergency. The national airline could also test its emergency response by providing flight and cabin crew to the simulation team.

Although it is hoped that such an emergency situation will not arise, the importance of testing preparedness skills through mock exercises cannot be underestimated. True, every contingency cannot be anticipated. But a strong emergency preparedness programme that includes realistic exercises can assist in limiting the negative impact of such events should they come to pass. After all, such exercises can mean the difference between life and death for both the victims and their rescuers if disaster strikes at one of our airports.

DAWN.COM | + Pakistan | Mock emergency operations

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Actually, this is just what is needed now in Pakistan. In the US and UK they regurlaly conduct dry runs, when we were training with the British they conducted a HAZMAT drill and it was perfect all the responders:

1. Fire
2. Ambulance
3. Police
4. Support Services

It also enables the services to stress the importance of continual development, testing and refinement. Just like when you are learning rope knots, constant practice makes perfect. We took part in this very response drill at Islamabad Airport and i have to admit it was Cahotic.

What they dont mention in that article is the fact that they made all the ambulances pool all over the burning plane, this was a major fire hazard. And then when the ambulances did start evacuating patients one of the Edhi ambulances struck a Rescue 1122 ambulance which was just simply embarrasing.

That being said, it is excellent to see such developments and inshallah we will improve on our mistakes.