Emergency response exercise provides valuable hands-on experience for students

Twelve Level 3 and T-Level Health and Science students from Central Bedfordshire College have participated in a multi-agency emergency response exercise held at Little Barford Power Station, near St. Neots.

This opportunity was extended by the Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Health & Care Partnership. The Local Resilience Forum organised this day trip as part of a multi-agency emergency drill.

Local health services, police, fire department, and voluntary sector partners worked together to simulate a crisis response scenario. The forum specifically sought students to act as “casualties” in the exercise, giving students a real-life glimpse into the cooperative efforts of local agencies during emergencies.

Students played the roles of  “walking wounded” with detailed character cards outlining their injuries and symptoms. This also allowed health professionals on-site to practice assessment, triage, and treatment in a controlled setting. By participating in exercises like these, students can witness their classroom skills come to life, connecting theory with real-world practices in health and social care.

Throughout the day, students engaged with emergency personnel across various scenarios, including watching firefighters extract a person from an overturned car and observing paramedics take over treatment after the rescue. They also spoke with members of the emergency services about career paths and qualifications.

This exercise proved to be an enriching experience, allowing students to gain practical insights, make career connections, and take valuable steps toward future healthcare and emergency services careers.