Could Ballarat handle a major disaster?

THERE was blood, dead bodies and multiple casualties after a gas explosion at Australian Catholic University (ACU) Ballarat campus on Thursday.

But it was all part of a major disaster simulation for final year paramedics students who were required to apply principles of command, control and triage (allocate a priority) in a situation limited to resources.

Senior lecturer in paramedicine Dr Helen Webb said the mass casualty event was the culmination of four years of study for paramedics students.

“They were required to utilise all of the knowledge and skill acquired over the past four years to locate, triage, extricate, treat and evacuate multiple casualties from the scene, with the aim of doing the greatest good for the greatest number,” Dr Webb said.

“I was very proud of them. How they applied the principles of command, control and triage in this major incident was outstanding.”

VIDEO: Watch the carnage after the “explosion” at Ballarat:

Paramedics student Shannyn Chisholm, 22, played the role of incident commander during the simulation.

“It was very challenging because we have learnt all this for the first time. We had to step up in another position. We were in charge of the whole scene,” Ms Chisholm said.

“We had to pull our theory together and step up to the role of authority.”

After graduating this year, Ms Chisholm will work for the London Ambulance Service.

The United Kingdom recognises the Major Incident Medical Management and Support training students undertake at ACU.

There were 63 nursing and paramedicine students involved in the large scale multi-casualty incident. There were eight mannequins that students had to attend to and check their pulses and blood pressure.

Federation University Australia perfomring arts students filled the role of injured people, one who had lost a leg.

Ballarat East CFA volunteers and ACU faculty of health science staff were part of the simulation.