Winside EMTs get real-life training

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Several members of the Winside Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department took part in unique training on Dec. 6.

The UNMC Simulation in Motion-Nebraska (SIM-NE) trailer was in town for the first in-person training in this region since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

CJ Prewitt, the Northeast Regional Coordinator for trailer and Adele Anderson were in Winside to provide training on two different scenarios.

During the training the Winside EMTs were divided into two groups and spent the evening assessing the "patient" and working to determine the best course of action until that patient could be transported to a hospital for further care. 

Each group was able to train with both an adult patient and pediatric patient.

Following the treatment portion of the training, a de-briefing was held on what possible outcomes could have taken place and other issues that could have been contributing factors that would have been vital to the victim's care.

The training was conducted in a 44-foot-long, customized truck that provides a mobile, real-life experience designed to enhance life-saving skills for those in rural areas.  

"This training shows how committed Winside Fire and Rescue is to keeping up on their training and the time it takes to do so.  This is a great opportunity that this department has been able to participate in and, in their own town," Prewitt said. 

"SIM-NE is a program that provides free training to local EMS and critical access hospitals.  Participating in high-tech simulation training is not only a great chance for hands-on team-based education, it will also show the community that EMS and critical access hospitals are taking measures to make the local emergency medical response the best possible," Prewitt added.  

The trucks were launched in 2017 and are stationed in Scottsbluff, Norfolk, Kearney and Omaha. Rather than having learners travel to larger cities for training, the training is taken to rural emergency medical service agencies and critical access hospitals. This also allows training to be team-based as learners train side-by-side with the people they normally work with.

The customized trucks feature dual slide-out room extensions, a simulated emergency room and ambulance, a control room, as well as high-tech, computerized patient simulators that talk, breathe, have heartbeats, and can react to medications and other actions of the learners. Each mobile unit is equipped to recreate a realistic environment for learners including medical supplies, pre-programmed computerized medical and trauma scenarios; monitors that display vital signs of patient simulators; heart monitors/defibrillators; audio and video recording/playback capabilities and mock drugs.  

SIM-NE was initially funded with a $5.5 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The funding supported four SIM trucks, equipment, patient simulators, supplies and operational expenses for the first three years allowing training to be at no cost for EMS providers. 

Partners and funders are being sought to sustain the training program. Rural emergency medical service agencies and critical access hospitals can request training at www.unmc.edu/SIM-NE.