Sarah Wilkinson, a Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness Interprofessional Education Coordinator, and Craig MacCalman, Paramedic program coordinator, both smile and nod in agreement with each other that Rescue Day keeps getting better and better.
On Saturday, September 28, more than 150 learners from six programs participated in an outstanding interprofessional education experience. Rescue Day is an action-packed day of experiential learning for students in emergency and health-care professions to practice critical communication and collaboration skills within interprofessional teams. The day culminates in a simulated mass casualty incident.
This year’s event involved collaboration from the three Humber Faculties:
• Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness – Paramedic, Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training, Bachelor of Science - Nursing, Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management (ESLM), and Emergency Telecommunications programs.
• Faculty of Social & Community Services – Police Foundations program, which was new this year.
• Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design: Work-study students operated drones, created graphics, took photos and videos, and provided logistical support.
In the morning, small group activities prepared learners for the afternoon simulation. These activities provided practical, hands-on experience in a controlled yet realistic environment.
Participants practiced essential skills while learning about the roles and approaches of other professions. ESLM students analyzed the physical demands of each task practicing their role in assessing physical readiness so they can design programs to meet the profession’s requirements.
Reflecting on her involvement in Rescue Day over the past several years, Toronto Police Constable Janet Abramovitz shared how this experience would have made a huge difference preparing her for her career because “you get to know and see what each profession does and how they work together as a team.”
In the afternoon, the crowd swelled in Parking Lot 1 at North Campus as curious bystanders and people acting as ‘rubberneckers’ surround the scene while learners enact their professional roles during the simulated mass casualty incident.
On the loudspeaker a car crash is heard. Sirens follow. Police Foundations students approach, assess the scene, hand off care to their colleagues and cordon off the area to keep the ‘spectators’ back. Pre-Service Firefighter and Paramedic students work together to extricate and tend to the casualties. Nursing students prepare and receive the patients from paramedics arriving in ambulances to the bay of the Emergency Room created for the day in the P Dome building. Fellow students observe and learn from their peers during the dynamic mass casualty simulation.
Following the highly realistic simulation, everyone gathered to debrief consolidating their learning. Participants were enthusiastic about this learning opportunity, sharing that Rescue Day enhanced their understanding, respect, and ability to collaborate with other professional groups — skills crucial for their future careers.
Everyone’s physical and psychological safety is paramount during Rescue Day. However, mistakes are expected and, in fact, are key moments for learning.
“Today is a training opportunity,” said Ornge Operations Control Manager, Steve McNenly. “The beauty of training opportunities is it's okay to make mistakes. The best way to learn is to make mistakes along the journey. And today is a safe place to make those mistakes.”
A large, committed, and collaborative team of people ensured the day went smoothly. This includes community partners Toronto Police, Ornge and Metalogics that donated two cars and a motorcycle and Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York Regions that loaned vehicles ensuring exceptional realism to the day’s activities. As well, Humber's Security and Parking services facilitated the spaces and equipment needed while faculty and staff’s dedication made it the largest and most impactful Rescue Day interprofessional simulation yet.
