Major Incidents

This unit focuses on the evidence based theory and practice of major incident and mass casualty management and recovery and provides students with the opportunity to apply and integrate knowledge and skills gained from earlier years. Students will work autonomously and in teams to research, plan and execute several simulated incidents culminating in a large scale mass casualty major incident event. The theoretical component of the unit will cover the history of major incidents, disaster medical response, principles of major incident planning, preparation, response and recovery. The roles, responsibilities and communications of emergency services and the sociological and psychological impacts of major incidents, including epidemics, pandemics, terrorism/bioterrorism and natural disasters involving major incidents and mass casualty is also considered. This unit will also include an introduction into planetary health, health sustainability and impacts of climate change of health and health provision. The focus is primarily on the prehospital emergency medicine response to a major incident and mass casualty event and the interaction of paramedics with other emergency staff and support agencies.