Keywords

Simulation training, natural disasters, emergency responders, mass casualty incidents

Abstract

Introduction: Medical first responders such as the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) in Uttarakhand, India play a vital role in reducing morbidity and mortality during natural disasters but often feel unprepared. The purpose of this project is to provide simulation training to increase knowledge, skills, and confidence of the SDRF team and better prepare them for real-world scenarios.

Methods: Fifty-one SDRF responders completed a 3-day training course with a final mass casualty simulation in Uttarakhand. The simulation was created using the National League of Nursing Simulation Design Template and consisted of 4 patients with different concerns, an arterial bleed, hypothermia, open leg fracture, and psychosocial distress. To evaluate effectiveness of the simulation responders completed a pre and post knowledge test and evaluated the scenario using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool (SET-M).

Results: Forty-nine participants completed the pre-knowledge test, and 51 participants completed the post-knowledge test. The mean score of the pre-knowledge test was 5.3 out of 10 (SD = 0.2) and the mean of the post-knowledge test was 8.4 out of 10 (SD = 0.11). The SET-M is divided into three subcategories: pre-briefing, scenario, and debriefing. Pre-briefing had a mean score of 2.90 (SD = 0.34), scenario had a mean score of 2.76 (SD = 0.45), and debriefing had a mean score of 2.83 (SD = 0.44).

Discussion: Participants demonstrated higher post-training knowledge levels and majority of the participants reported an increase in confidence and technical skills. These findings indicate that simulation-based training is valuable for strengthening disaster responder preparedness.