On Tuesday evening in Lunel, the drill did not go unnoticed. For over two hours, firefighters and paramedics from SDIS 34, municipal police officers, gendarmes and local authorities were on hand for a full-scale emergency drill. Organised by the Hérault Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS 34), Avenue du Maréchal Leclerc – the RD 34 lined with plane trees – was transformed into a scene of utter devastation.
The exercise simulated a road traffic accident: a violent pile-up involving six vehicles, with numerous casualties inside, ranging from those in a state of relative emergency – with minor injuries – to those in a state of absolute emergency – with serious injuries. As soon as the first call was made to 112, a fully-fledged emergency response was organised and the NOVI plan – standing for ‘Multiple Casualties’, formerly known as the ‘Red Plan’ – was activated by the prefecture. Significant resources were deployed by the fire service, comprising around sixty men and women, with some thirty emergency vehicles and the Hérault Civil Protection helicopter – the Dragon 34.
The Sinus software has been rolled out
During the exercise, all standard operating procedures were put to the test. First aid, resuscitation, extrication, triage, stretcher transport, casualty packaging, evacuation and command – nothing was spared the emergency services, from the lowest-ranking member to the most senior officer. The same was true of the staff of the fire service’s health and medical rescue unit (3SM), comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists and others...
Sinus Operator – Anthony Montardy.
In recent years, particularly given the risk of terrorist attacks, French firefighters have been receiving more training in mass casualty incidents (MCIs). The Sinus software – a standardised digital information system – has been rolled out. It ensures the reliable collection and processing of information essential for monitoring victims. It also enables a rapid assessment of the situation that closely reflects reality, and allows this data to be categorised by specific criteria: age groups, gender, nationality, place of residence, hospital of admission, etc. Victims are fitted with a barcode wristband, linked to a detailed medical record, before being scanned by an operator.
A gym that has been requisitioned
The exercise lasted over two hours and concluded in a sports hall, which had been requisitioned near the scene of the incident and converted into an advanced medical post (AMP) for the duration of the operation. This post enabled the health and medical emergency services of SDIS 34 to treat the victims and stabilise their condition before they were transported to hospital.
The exercise took place in the presence of Colonel Éric Flores, director of SDIS 34, a representative from the prefecture and Claude Barral, the mayor of Lunel.>> Anthony Montardy’s report
Anthony Montardy/Secours Info
