Practice makes perfect for West Rand emergency services
A RIMS simulation in front of Amberfield on the R28 was conducted to learn from and improve the response and service of the West Rand emergency services.
Traffic was delayed by a massive three-car pile-up on 10 May. Or was it?
The accident scene was actually a simulation organised by the Road Incident Management (RIMS) Committee, Mogale Response Committee and other emergency services on the West Rand.
Photos: Natasha Pretorius.
The call was logged as an actual accident and emergency services, including the Traffic and Fire Departments, Netcare 911, West Rand Disaster Management and the local Community Policing Forum responded within 13 minutes.
The scene was treated as a real one, with several patients who had suffered injuries, a deceased patient, a chemical spill and traffic that needed to be regulated.
These types of RIMS exercises are conducted for training purposes and to see if any of the aspects could be improved on.
“The more you practise the better you get,” said Krugersdorp Fire Chief, Gerhard Nieuwoudt, while explaining that these exercises will become more frequent, not only to train the Krugersdorp Emergency Services personnel, but all emergency services on the West Rand.
