FOREST PARK — The computer-generated scenario: A group of high school students on a science field trip had wandered into a patch of woods laced with hidden explosives.

From left, paramedics Raffel Prophett, Courtnay Gamber and Greg Thomas, work on a training dummy. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        At least two of the devices had exploded, injuring several students. Their teacher suffered a head injury and trauma to his right leg.

        That was among the hands-on situations 40 Greater Cincinnati firefighter/paramedics, physicians, pharmacists and other emergency medical providers faced during a three-day class this week on weapons of mass destruction and terrorist acts.

        The class focused on nuclear, explosive, biological, incendiary and chemical attacks — all scenarios U.S. military personnel could face if America attacks Iraq. “It was eye-opening,” Anderson Township Fire Lt. Fred Buop said. “There's a lot of bad stuff in this world that can cause (serious injury) to a lot of people. This is something new to us. We have to play catch-up.”

        The sessions involved both classroom lectures and hands-on experience with a $100,000 rescue mannequin that simulates breathing, a beating heart and the impacts that anthrax or nerve agents might have on the body.

        Emergency medical personnel learned how to recognize injuries from weapons of mass destruction, protect themselves in such emergencies, decontaminate each other and treat victims, said Frazier Sloan, one of the instructors.

        But the sessions also allowed emergency medical personnel from different agencies — including fire departments, hospitals and poison control centers — to work together and see how their roles intersect in a large-scale emergency.

        “After the bomb goes off is not a good time to start developing relationships,” Mr. Sloan said. “Basically, you want to know what (skills) everyone is bringing.”

        The class, funded by the federal government, was facilitated by Texas A&M University. Teams of instructors travel the country providing the training to emergency medical agencies.

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