Request a place HART Mod 4 (Urban Search and Rescue) Paramedic

Course Details

  • Course duration: 2 week residential course
  • Course category: Command, Resilience, TCC1
  • Course category: null
  • Start/finish time: Start time: 0830
    Finish time: 1730 (variable)

It is essential that HART units maintain the capability to deliver excellent clinical care to patients in an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) environment. This course builds on the skills and knowledge gained from Module 1, 2&3 (Incident Response Unit (IRU)) Course, and focuses on confined space medicine, safe systems of work and delivering high quality clinical care in difficult and challenging environments.

PLEASE NOTE: These will only be open to operational members of HART teams and places will be allocated by each unit’s HART Manager.  Aspiring candidates should contact their HART training manager for information about the selection process that will be used to select candidates for their HART unit.

SWAH – It is the responsibility of the Trust to ensure all attendees are working in line with the PPE requirement regulations.

Course overview

The Module 4 course will run over two sites.  This will be made up of Week 1 at Winterbourne Gunner, where the delegates learn USAR theory, enhance their clinical skills and are introduced to the USAR training facilities; which include trench, container, SWaH rigs and rubble pile.  Week 2 – will be held at the Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Training Centre.

Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Training Centre where the delegates are put through a series of challenging scenarios, culminating in a large multi agency exercise.  The programme should be regarded as dynamic, either to take advantage of opportunities as they present or to work around other students using the specialist rigs.

The instructors will be drawn from experts in their fields across the Ambulance and Fire services and includes SME’s from other key areas where their specific expertise is required. The course faculty will comprise of at least four NARU instructors and one Fire & Rescue Service tutor.

Course Programme contents

The course consists of a mixture of theory and practical sessions including the following elements:

  • USAR Context and Framework
  • Health and Safety
  • Welfare
  • Medical and Environmental Emergencies
  • Confined Space Medicine
  • Confined Space Operations
  • Clinical Care in USAR Environments
  • Remote Patient Assessment
  • Safe Working at Height
  • Building Construction and Collapse
  • Fire Service USAR Operations

Assessments

Please note that on day one, you will need to meet the pre-entry criteria for the program, and will be assessed practically on:

  • SWaH procedures including Recovery Pack and Haul Bag
  • Confined space procedures including SAVOX and knowledge of confined space insert.

During this course you will be continually assessed practically, and your underpinning knowledge will be checked at regular intervals.

  • Any highlighted learning points will be documented and discussed with you during a one-to-one debrief
  • This will enable an action plan to be put in-place; to ensure your development as a USAR operative is documented
  • This will be in-line with current HART SOPs & TIS.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding the Health & Safety implications of a USAR incident
  • Explain the capabilities of FRS USAR response
  • Demonstrate the practical aptitude to operate safely in a USAR situation
  • Be competent and confident in delivering clinical interventions in confined spaces or at height
  • Be able to package and extricate patients in challenging situations with due consideration for patient and staff welfare

The course maps to the following:

  • NH SOP 6, 7 & 8 and associated EDS and TIS

This course is aligned to the NHS Commissioning Board Core Standards for EPRR which will assist Ambulance Trusts in meeting these standards by providing relevant educational modules:

UNIT UNIT DESCRIPTION
4.11 Interoperable capabilities – NHS ambulance trusts in England are required to maintain a set of specialist capabilities. These capabilities are nationally specified under the NHS England EPRR Framework. These capabilities are interoperable between services. They must be maintained according to strict national standards to ensure they can be combined safely to provide an effective national response to certain types of incidents.

The interoperable capabilities include:

  • hazardous area response teams (HART)
  • special operations response teams (SORT)
  • mass casualty vehicles (MCV)
  • command and control
  • joint emergency services interoperability principles (JESIP).

Intended Audience

This course is aimed at NHS Ambulance Service Paramedics that have the necessary qualifications and skills and operate as part of a Hazardous Area Response Team. Students MUST attend Module 1, 2&3 (IRU Course) and certificated SWAH and Confined Space courses prior to attending the Module 4 (USAR) course.

We recommend that students have at least one year’s experience as a HART paramedic prior to Module 4 (USAR) course and that they have attended a SWAH refresher within six months of the course.

Eligibility Criteria

Students on this course must be HCPC registered Paramedics who operate as part of a Hazardous Area Response Team.

It is incumbent on the student to ensure they have a fitness level commensurate with the demands of the course.  The minimum fitness requirements are those demonstrated in the physical competency assessments (PCA) conducted during the selection process.  However NARU emphasis’s that this is a physically and mentally demanding course and students should be well prepared.

SWAH & Confined Space – It is the responsibility of the Trust to ensure all attendees are working in line with the PPE requirement regulations and are competent and confident to operate in these areas.

Comments from previous attendees

  • “The instructor’s enthusiasm has made this a fantastic course.  The information and techniques learnt have given me confidence in all aspects of my HART role”
  • “Great course, enthusiastic instruction.  I am ready for anything now!”

Methods of Delivery

The course content is delivered using a variety of theoretical sessions from training faculty and external Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).  Students are then given the opportunity to reinforce the theory in numerous realistic practical exercises.

If you have any special educational needs which may impact on your learning please ensure the course lead is made aware prior to your attendance.  You can also contact info@narueducationcentre.org.uk.

Dress Code

Normal Trust uniform with collars must be worn during classroom sessions and at mealtimes, i.e., Ironed work shirt, trousers and clean boots.  The dress code for the evenings is smart/casual, for example shirts with collars and clean footwear.

Due to wearing respiratory protective equipment on the practical elements of the course, all delegates are required to be clean shaven at the start of every day.

As per NARU Education Course attendance policy the following must be adhered to:

  • Jewellery – is not allowed under any circumstances by candidates undertaking training.
  • Rings, including wedding rings must either be removed or covered with tape.
  • All body piercings must also be removed.  Flesh tunnels must be blanked or covered with tape.
  • In order to promote a professional image, candidates must ensure that they keep their hair clean and tidy.  Long hair must be tied up.
  • Hair extensions that are secured by metal clips must also be removed.
  • Makeup – As per the manufacturers guidance and RPE regulations, the wearing of makeup is not permitted due to the risk it poses to not only your face fit seal but the face mask material itself.

 

Course Location

Week 1 the course will be held at:

NARU Education Centre
Defence CBRN Centre
Thorneydown Road
Winterbourne Gunner
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP4 0ES

SECURITY
Photo identification is required for access to DCBRNC.  Please ensure you arrive with enough time to complete the security process, this may take an additional 15 minutes or up to 1 hour during busy periods.  May we suggest that you visit the site the day before (anytime as it is open 24hrs) to get your photo security pass and allow quicker entry on the morning of your course.

View map and directions here.

Week 2 the course will move to:

Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Training Centre
Sleaford Road
Bracebridgeheath
LN59FG

View map and directions here – Lincolnshire Fire

Accommodation

Unless otherwise stated accommodation see email Joining Instructions:

Week 1 – Accommodation is provided as part of the course at Winterbourne Gunner. You can check in from 1200hrs on the day before. No food is available until breakfast on day one of your course.

Please note some rooms do not have on-suite facilities. Winterbourne Gunner is a military site, we have no control over the accommodation.  Rooms are allocated on the day of arrival.

Please bring your own towel and toiletries. For additional comfort may we suggest that you bring your own pillow(s).  (However, pillows are provided)

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided during the course, starting with breakfast on day one and finishing with lunch on the final day.

There is a café, cash bar and gym on site. Wi-Fi is available in the accommodation block, however, there is a charge, please speak with the Mess Manager for details.

Week 2 – Accommodation is provided as part of the course – please refer to your Joining Instruction email for details.

Accommodation for the preceding night is available but please note this is on a bed and breakfast basis. No evening meal is supplied on the preceding night (Sunday).

Please bring your own towel and toiletries.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided during the course.

Equipment Requirements

  • The following notes have been prepared to help you make the most of your stay and to ensure you bring the appropriate clothing and equipment.

Each student must bring the following: 

  • SWaH kit – personal issue (in date for the course  )
  • 2 x HART trust-issued incident ground boots as per EDS HART 1 01 03 (1 clean set will be required for classroom/dining wear)
  • 1 x head torch and spare batteries
  • 1 x safety glasses as per EDS HART 2 004
  • Sufficient ear pro – minimum standard as per EDS HART 2 003
  • 1 x knee pads as per EDS HART 2 005
  • 1x set incident ground kit as per EDS HART 1 01 03
  • Gloves (USAR rescue as per EDS USAR 1 01 10 and HART 1 02 04
  • Whistle as per EDS HART 1 02 05
  • 1 x helmet for USAR operations as per EDS HART 1 02 02
  • Sufficient respiratory protection equipment (RPE) for a two week course as per EDS SUP 2 009.  Delegates MUST be portacounted on the issued RPE
  • An additional towel/wipes – for use during exercise
  • 1 x water bottle
  • Pen & paper for note taking
  • Underclothing suitable to be worn under incident ground kit and appropriate for weather conditions. (note: you will get hot / wet in practical work)
  • Sports equipment if you wish to use the gym or swimming pool at the Hotel (note: whilst fitness is encouraged, injuries sustained may result in you taking no further part in the course) – if open.  Ensure you bring your own towel and £1.00 coin for locker (returnable for use in Gym)

FAILURE TO BRING THE APPROPRIATE PPE MAY THREATEN THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATION IN THE COURSE.

Photos

 

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Course dates coming soon.