Amputees in Action, the UK’s largest provider of fully trained amputee actors for emergency services and military training simulations as well as film and television work, have been involved recently in two major training exercises for the emergency services.
At the end of April, five actors and one special effects (SFX) artist from the Amputees in Action’s roster supported the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) in an exercise which involved a simulated collision between a van and a three-carriage train at a level crossing.
Just a few days later, another team of four actors and three SFX artists took part in Exercise Endeavour at the request of the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS). Organised by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and run over the course of three days, Exercise Endeavour simulated a number of possible disasters, including collapsed buildings, a major fire and flood, and heavy transport collisions.
In both exercises, the Amputees in Action teams made full use of their skills and experience to add a heightened level of shocking realism, helping the emergency services personnel to prepare for dealing with the types of casualty likely to be encountered in a real-life incident.
John Pickup, Managing Director of Amputees in Action, commented: “We are always delighted to have the opportunity to participate in casualty simulations of this kind. The graphic realism that our actors and SFX artists bring to the training of emergency services personnel can really help to make the difference between life and death in a genuine disaster.”