The exercise was one of the largest staged in Dorset. More than 70 volunteers, took part in the exercise The volunteers simulated a range of injuries, while 19 realistic mannequins were also placed at the site to represent casualties with more severe injuries or who had died at the scene.which was based on a serious
collision involving two large coaches, a minibus, a lorry, a
bicycle and five cars.
"Casualties" requiring hospitalisation were taken to mock receiving hospitals and the actors playing injured people who were fit to walk were taken to a survivors' reception centre, set up by the local councils.These provide welfare and practical support to people affected by major incidents, while allowing minor injuries to be treated and for the police to start formally identifying people involved.
The day ran as a ‘live play’ scenario, meaning that responders acted as though the exercise was real, following a series of 999 calls to the
emergency services.
Representatives
from Dorset Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
Service, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, British Red Cross,
Dorset County Council,Bournemouth Borough Council and East Dorset District Council joined the exercise.
Pictures of the incident scene and emergency crews.
Pictures of the incident scene and emergency crews.
"Casualties" requiring hospitalisation were taken to mock receiving hospitals and the actors playing injured people who were fit to walk were taken to a survivors' reception centre, set up by the local councils.These provide welfare and practical support to people affected by major incidents, while allowing minor injuries to be treated and for the police to start formally identifying people involved.
Away from the scene, lots of other plans came into action to support both the victims, their relatives and responders involved in the incident.
The exercise continued over a further two days exercising how agencies would reunite injured people with their families,
and how they would support the loved ones of people who have died.
A Friends & Family Reception Centre set up and at this centre, people playing the role of family and friends whose loved ones are missing, injured or killed received support from a range of local agencies and charities. More than 50 people volunteered to play these roles, offering a realistic test of the facilities.Friends and family members were then assisted by police officers, who took information about the loved one they were concerned about. This was cross-referenced with details collected about people who were involved in the collision and with calls received by the police Casualty Bureau.
If their loved one was safe and well, families and friends were informed where they are and put in touch. If someone was still being treated for injuries, they were directed to the right hospital and reunited as quickly as possible. If someone unknown to police was reported as missing, attempts were made to match their details to any of the collision victims who were yet to be identified.
In the unfortunate scenario that someone's loved one had died in the scenario, family members were offered immediate specialist support from police Family Liaison Officers, who will guide them through this difficult time. This includes a formal identification process, which was tested as part of the final exercise day.
Investigations in to the cause of the incident also continued with police investigation and recovery continuing at the West Moors scene throughout the second day.
The final day was based at the Bournemouth Public Mortuary, with a simulation of arrangements for 20 realistic mannequins, representing people who were killed in the multi-vehicle collision.
Around 100 members of staff were involved from a variety of agencies. They included Crime Scene Investigators and police officers from Dorset Police and other forces that are part of the South West region, who would be called to assist for such a large incident. Their role was to match the deceased people with details of missing people already collected by the Casualty Bureau or at the Friends and Family Reception Centre, which was tested yesterday.
Home Office pathologists were on site to practice their plans for conducting simultaneous post mortems. Mortuary staff tested how they would manage a sudden and unusually high influx of bodies, while retaining their usual level of compassion and respect. This was all overseen by the Bournemouth Senior Coroner and his staff.
This was one of the most realistic exercises I have been involved in and this was the feeling of many of those involved. I would like to thank the organising staff, volunteers and all those involved for their support of this exercise. The formal debrief will identify lessons from the exercise which will be used to improve the planning and response to significant incidents such as this.
If their loved one was safe and well, families and friends were informed where they are and put in touch. If someone was still being treated for injuries, they were directed to the right hospital and reunited as quickly as possible. If someone unknown to police was reported as missing, attempts were made to match their details to any of the collision victims who were yet to be identified.
In the unfortunate scenario that someone's loved one had died in the scenario, family members were offered immediate specialist support from police Family Liaison Officers, who will guide them through this difficult time. This includes a formal identification process, which was tested as part of the final exercise day.
Investigations in to the cause of the incident also continued with police investigation and recovery continuing at the West Moors scene throughout the second day.
The final day was based at the Bournemouth Public Mortuary, with a simulation of arrangements for 20 realistic mannequins, representing people who were killed in the multi-vehicle collision.
Around 100 members of staff were involved from a variety of agencies. They included Crime Scene Investigators and police officers from Dorset Police and other forces that are part of the South West region, who would be called to assist for such a large incident. Their role was to match the deceased people with details of missing people already collected by the Casualty Bureau or at the Friends and Family Reception Centre, which was tested yesterday.
Home Office pathologists were on site to practice their plans for conducting simultaneous post mortems. Mortuary staff tested how they would manage a sudden and unusually high influx of bodies, while retaining their usual level of compassion and respect. This was all overseen by the Bournemouth Senior Coroner and his staff.
This was one of the most realistic exercises I have been involved in and this was the feeling of many of those involved. I would like to thank the organising staff, volunteers and all those involved for their support of this exercise. The formal debrief will identify lessons from the exercise which will be used to improve the planning and response to significant incidents such as this.
