Security forces train for emergencies: Stabbing” simulated operation in Moers!

Security forces train for emergencies: Stabbing” simulated operation in Moers!

Emergency medical education is very important in Moers! As part of the “Bethanien saves” training series, an exciting workshop on “special operational situations” took place in mid-November, organized by the Emergency Medicine Clinic at Bethanien Hospital in cooperation with the fire department and police. Under the direction of Dr. Alexandra Dittmer, a senior physician and initiator of the series, and Isabelle Thelen, an emergency paramedic from the Moers fire department, prepared the participants for the challenges of unpredictable and dynamic scenarios in an impressive setting.

The event, which took place at the Moers fire and rescue station, included both lectures and practical skills training. Particular emphasis was placed on training in a “special operational situation” (BEL), such as those that can occur during terrorist attacks or rampages. In a simulated scenario of a “stabbing in a disco,” the participants were asked to demonstrate their knowledge under difficult conditions: darkness, loud music, foggy rooms and strobe lights, in addition to the stress factor, placed the focus on caring for several seriously injured people.

Training content and challenges

The goals of the workshop were clear: to establish a coordinated approach between emergency services, police and fire departments. Attention was paid to numerous aspects, including tying injured extremities with tourniquets and applying pressure bandages. To simulate realistic conditions, materials such as fake blood, expired inventory material and real pork ribs were used for chest injuries. These methods provided an impressive training experience.

Above all, the feedback from the participants was consistently positive. Many reported valuable insights into actions and dynamics in critical situations. Since its introduction in 2020, the training series “Bethanien saves” has established itself as a benchmark for continuous training in the emergency medicine sector; it takes place once a quarter.

Expansion of emergency medicine

The need for such training is urgent because emergency services such as police officers, soldiers and emergency services are exposed to high risks every day. The increasing willingness to use violence and the frequency of knife attacks and the use of firearms not only make operations more dangerous, but also more complex. Unfortunately, studies show that many emergency services often only have rudimentary first aid knowledge and feel unsafe in emergency situations. A new course in tactical emergency medicine, led by a team of police officers, former soldiers and an emergency doctor, aims to teach tried-and-tested techniques that can be implemented immediately in the event of gunshot wounds, severe bleeding or respiratory problems, as PPF Germany reports.

Given these challenges, it is more important than ever that emergency services receive the best possible training in order to be able to act quickly and effectively in critical moments. These measures are of great importance not only for the safety of the emergency services, but also for the civilian population.