Specialist ambulance teams practise chemical incident response in West Sussex

Specialist ambulance crews have been practising their response to chemical emergencies during a major training exercise in West Sussex.

South East Coast Ambulance Service’s Special Operations Response Teams, known as SORT, took part in exercises designed to simulate a chemical release in woodland near Horsham.

The training was held at the Woods for Learning outdoor adventures site, run by Gary Marlow, and also involved crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

During the exercise, SECAmb staff wore Powered Respirator Protective Suits while firefighters used breathing apparatus to enter the woodland and search for people affected by the simulated chemical release.

The teams then had to assess and treat the mock patients before taking them to a decontamination area.

Steve Babonau, SECAmb SORT Training Manager, said: “Our SORT operatives in Powered Respirator Protective Suits, alongside our West Sussex Fire and Rescue colleagues wearing breathing apparatus, entered the woodlands to search for ‘patients’ affected by the chemical.

“The teams then had to triage and treat the patients, before moving them to a decontamination area to be properly washed down by further ambulance SORT staff in PRPS.”

SECAmb’s Special Operations Response Team is made up of ambulance staff who receive additional training to deal with hazardous and complex emergencies.

This can include chemical incidents and other situations where specialist protective equipment and decontamination procedures are required.

SECAmb says the training is designed to make sure teams can respond quickly and safely to high-risk incidents while working alongside other emergency services.

The Horsham exercise also gave crews the opportunity to practise multi-agency working, operating decontamination equipment and working while wearing specialist protective clothing.

Mr Babonau thanked Woods for Learning for allowing the ambulance service to use the woodland site for training over a number of months.

He presented owner Gary Marlow with a SECAmb Certificate of Appreciation.

Mr Babonau said: “We have been able to use a woodland area for a number of months due to Gary, so huge thanks to him.

“We’re also very grateful to everyone who has played a part and helped make our training so effective.”

The Surrey Casualty Union Branch provided actors to play patients during the exercise, while Community First Responders also acted as casualties and provided a refreshment vehicle.

Horsham Rugby Club also supported the training by allowing part of its car park to be used for the ambulance service’s decontamination structures.

SECAmb says exercises such as this allow specialist teams to test their skills in realistic environments and ensure they are prepared to respond to challenging emergencies across the region.

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