STUDENTS paramedics from the University of Plymouth amassed at Newton Abbot Racecourse this week for a large-scale disaster simulation exercise.

Designed to replicate the pressures and realities of a major incident, the exercise, which took place on Thursday, May 28, saw nearly 100 students and staff simulate an explosion in the racecourse grandstand, triggering a full emergency response scenario involving multiple agencies.

The two-hour incident response got underway from 1.30pm, with a loud ‘explosion’ and smoke marking the start.

The first, second and third year paramedic students were required to assess and treat multiple casualties, while working under pressure in a realistic environment designed to mirror real-life emergency situations.

Organised by Ian Luscombe, who leads the Paramedic Science programme at the University of Plymouth, the exercise gave students hands-on experience ahead of entering frontline roles.

’We have some great facilities and expertise at the University, but there’s nothing like hands on experience to help students prepare for what they might face in their frontline roles’, Ian said.

‘It is essential to our programme that we do these simulations, and we’re very grateful to Newton Abbot Racecourse and all the agencies involved for helping us to deliver this event’, Ian added.

The scenario brought other emergency and medical services together, including police, firefighters and the Racecourse’s very own medical team.

Racecourse facilities, including the betting halls, were transformed into triage and treatment areas, while volunteer casualties, complete with realistic injury simulation, brought authenticity to the exercise.

Newton Abbot Racecourse’s Jenny Paton said: ‘Newton Abbot racecourse was delighted to host this simulation event for University of Plymouth.

‘This exercise will not only support the training of student paramedics but also help prepare the racecourse and partner agencies for a potential large-scale emergency’.