British Army reserves tested their specialist medical skills working with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience Training and Exercise Unit (SMARTEU) on Saturday 17^th January at the SFRS National Training Centre in Cambuslang.

Members of 144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron, who are based in Glasgow and form part of 16 Medical Regiment, took part in this multi-agency exercise

144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron is the only reserve medical unit with a parachute capability. They provide vital dismounted first line medical and secondary healthcare support to both soldiers and civilians all over the world, as part of the Global Rapid Reaction Force.

This multi-agency exercise, which simulated a gas explosion in a village, was designed to allow soldiers to develop their skills: collaborating with other agencies, decision-making in a dynamic and evolving operational scenario and leadership.

In this exercise the squadron established and operated a functioning Pre-Hospital Treatment Team and casualty clearing station, to assist in the co-ordination of the major incident.

When asked what value this type of collaborative training brought to soldiers, Officer Commanding 144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron, Major Josh March, said: “Soldiers and officers in 144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron are trained to treat the injured from the first minutes, through evacuation and into damage‑control surgery.

“As Army Reservists, many of us also work in the NHS and other emergency services. Collaborative training brings those skills together and keeps our medics sharp on the basics, while ensuring we’re ready to provide care in the most complex environments.”

The squadron’s Training Officer, Captain Matthew Young said:

“Joint training like this is crucial to future operations. Harnessing skills that will contribute to working with host Nation services and administering mass casualty situations.”

The exercise, hosted by the SFRS, saw operational fire crews from Clarkston, East Kilbride, Cumbernauld, and Bellshill attend.

SFRS, Watch Command and UK-ISAR Crew Leader, Steve Adams said:

“Exercises like this are vital in strengthening our operational readiness and ensuring we continue to work effectively with our partners to keep communities safe.”

16 Medical Regiment supports 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army’s global response force. Its personnel - including consultant orthopaedic surgeons, dentists, nurses, and combat medical technicians - are specially trained to deploy by parachute, helicopter, or airlanding.

144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron is a multi‑role medical unit with capabilities ranging from pre‑hospital care, primary healthcare, damage‑control surgery, and medical evacuation, through to medical command and control. Whilst providing medical personnel for operations across the globe, as an Army Reserve squadron the specialist skillsets of its soldiers and officers also enable it to make a strong contribution to national resilience within the UK if called upon.

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has dedicated Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams strategically located across Scotland. These teams are specially trained firefighters with skills and equipment to respond to the complex, high risk incidents where people are trapped, buried or missing as a result of building collapse, train derailments, Industrial collapse, Terrorism and Confined space. 

SFRS also support the British Government’s UKISAR (International Search and Rescue) efforts, which can see them deployed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) to help countries affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes. They also provide humanitarian aid as well as restoring infrastructure.

UKISAR:

The UKISAR team responds primarily to overseas urban search and rescue emergencies on behalf of the UK. Any UKISAR team deployed is self-sufficient upon arrival and provides its own food, water, shelter, sanitation, communications, and all necessary equipment to undertake search and rescue operations for up to 14 days. This is to ensure no additional burden is placed upon a country already suffering demands on its resources following a sudden onset disaster. All UKISAR staff are trained to use specialist kit and the equipment being taken will ensure the team has the ability and capacity to lift, cut and remove concrete and rubble from collapsed structures.