ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — In the safety of their large back parking lot, St. Charles County Ambulance District EMTs train for some of the ugliest real-life scenarios. Annually, the district conducts its "Trauma Lane Training."
Trauma Lane Training is a series of simulated emergencies that could occur in day-to-day calls. John Romeo, Deputy Chief of Professional Standards for the St. Charles County Ambulance District, said "this training is designed to keep our paramedics up to date and make sure their skills are sharp, so that when we have to respond to these kinds of calls we're ready."
Wednesday's practice scenarios included an overturned ambulance with a patient inside. "This is crucial to remaining vigilant and prepared because these are high acuity but not very frequent," explained Romeo.
The next "trauma lane" was a motorcycle accident with a severed limb. After the instructors poured fake blood over the pavement and set the mannequin hand away from the volunteer patient, crews came in sirens blaring. "I think from a psychological perspective it helps our providers," Romeo said, "and really gets themselves in the right frame of mind so that when they do have to do it, they're ready to go."
For the annual drills, St. Charles County Ambulance District coordinates with area fire departments. "They have fire fighters and paramedics that are going on these calls with us so we like to make sure we train together," Romeo explained.