***EXERCISE ONDINE*** At 06:16L this morning, the Operations Management of Lagan Search & Rescue initiated the first of what will be a sequence of no-notice call-out exercises for our team. Both Police Service of Northern Ireland and MRCC Belfast Coastguard were made aware of details, prior to STARTEX. Exercise Ondine was designed primarily to measure real time response of both LSAR’s Rescue Boat crew and our Land Search team. This exercise was also aimed at testing the multi-Disciplinary deployment of Lagan Search & Rescue and our inter-Disciplinary operating procedures for land/coastal search. Although this is the first no-notice call-out that our volunteers have engaged in, Lagan Search & Rescue were able to muster a Rescue Boat crew at our Dalton Street Operations Centre within seven (7) minutes of call-out and the first of our Land Search teams was available for deployment to the exercise area eight (8) minutes later. Once assembled and briefed, Rescue Boat was launched from Belfast Marina and Land Search teams deployed to an incident that was ongoing along the North Down coastline of Belfast Lough. The scenario was that of a MISPER who was subsequently located by Land Search teams at Jenny Watt’s cave near Brompton. Swiftwater Rescue Technician was initially deployed to assess the condition of the ‘casualty’ and this was supported by deployment of a Rescue Swimmer from the LSAR’s Rescue Boat, the Dove. ‘Casualty’ was managed and extricated to Rescue Boat and subsequently landed ashore to care of LSAR Medics. At this point, and to test our response further, a team member then ‘fell’ heavily on the rocks, sustaining an open fracture of the right tibia. This second ‘casualty’ was then assessed, bleeding stemmed and leg immobilised for extrication to a triage point above the high-water mark. Spinal immobilisation was maintained and airway managed throughout. ENDEX was called shortly after 09:15L and volunteers returned to Dalton Street for debrief and care of equipment. A number essential of learning points were identified and these will be implemented prior to our next ‘call-out’. We will continue with similar, audited exercises over the coming months in a bid to reduce and maintain our response times. This will enable us to provide the dedicated and professional service that the people of Belfast deserve.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 20:18:27 +0000
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