Fiona Stanley Hospital take part in major emergency response exercise

Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) emergency department staff joined colleagues from Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in a large-scale emergency response exercise at Perth Airport last week, helping to test Western Australia's preparedness for a major incident.

The exercise, led by Perth Airport and planned over three months in partnership with health and emergency services agencies, simulated a disaster scenario requiring a coordinated multi-agency response.

Under the WA State Health Emergency Response Plan (SHERP) and the WA Health Emergency Management Arrangements, all metropolitan hospitals with emergency departments must be capable of deploying a health response team to a disaster site anywhere within the metropolitan area.

In a real-world event, specialist medical teams are transported to the scene by St John WA and are required to be ready to deploy within 45 minutes. This involves donning specialised personal protective equipment (PPE), collecting disaster medical kits, medications and communications equipment, and preparing to deliver care in what can often be challenging and unpredictable conditions.

FSH's disaster response capability is built around highly trained teams of doctors and nurses. While the hospital must be able to deploy two doctors and four nurses, FSH provided two doctors and three nurses for the exercise.

The scenario was designed to closely replicate a real major incident, with volunteer casualties wearing realistic moulage makeup to simulate traumatic injuries. The highly realistic presentations challenged staff to assess, triage and manage patients in an environment that mirrored the pressures and complexities of an actual disaster response.

Emergency department staff who may be deployed to these incidents undertake Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS) training, an internationally recognised program that prepares healthcare workers to manage major incidents and disasters.

FSH Disaster Preparedness and Management Manager Mike Hayward, who served as an exercise evaluator on the day and is one of WA Health's MIMMS instructors, said the exercise provided a valuable opportunity to put training into practice.

"Training exercises like this test our capabilities and allow staff to work closely with multiple agencies at a disaster site," Mike said.

"The realistic scenario reinforced key MIMMS principles and highlighted the sometimes harsh and challenging conditions staff may encounter once deployed to a real incident."

Working alongside emergency services, airport personnel and other health services gave participants the opportunity to strengthen partnerships and gain practical experience in managing a complex emergency response.

The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness across WA Health and ensure hospitals can rapidly mobilise skilled clinical teams when major incidents occur.

Through regular training and exercises, FSH continues to build the capability, confidence and partnerships needed to respond effectively when the community needs it most.

Watch the Channel 9 news coverage below