Student paramedics worked alongside operational firefighters in a joint exercise aimed at saving the lives of those involved in serious vehicle collisions.
Trainee paramedics from the University of Sunderland joined members of the Green Watch crew, from Sunderland Central Fire Station, for the live simulation exercise.
The two emergency services worked together to extricate a patient following a mock road traffic accident in a bid to learn more about how each other works.
Such training is important to the student paramedics to ensure they are fully ready for real life emergencies.
Mark Willis, Programme Leader for Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care at the University, said: “Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is always at the cutting edge of training and this is an opportunity for them to impart their knowledge to our students.
“The crews carry out the extrication while the paramedics work alongside them to provide the patient care.”
This week’s exercise with the fire service is the first of three which the paramedics will be involved in.
It is this close working relationship which ensures patients involved in serious road traffic collisions receive the best care possible.
Don McAneny, Watch Manager at Sunderland Central Fire Station, said: “We spent about 45 minutes with the students before the exercise explaining the process we go through when it comes to road traffic collisions.
“During the exercise itself, some of the trainee paramedics were able to sit in the vehicle, talking to the casualty and seeing how we go about carrying out an extrication.”
The student paramedics also got the chance to see how the fire service secures the scene of a serious RTC, as well as the process of safely removing the patient into the care of the students.
Watch Manager McAneny added: “It can often be a noisy and dangerous situation that we have to secure.
“It’s important we have a strong and successful working relationship with the paramedics at the scene to help ensure the best outcomes.”