My Experience at a Major Critical Incident Day
Reflections from a Paramedic Science student
On 21 May 2026, I took part in the UWS Highland Mist Mass Casualty Training Exercise. As a second-year student, this is an event we had looked forward to for many months.
The exercise is held annually and involves multiple agencies, including the Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, and many more. It allows Paramedic Science students, like myself, to work alongside students from other healthcare sectors such as nursing and medicine, to gain hands-on experience in a simulated major incident environment.
This is an event I was aware of when applying to UWS and was something that really drew me to choosing UWS for my studies. My classmates and I spent many weeks preparing, including trauma scenario work, airwave radio training, and command role training.
It was one of the first times I truly felt like a confident practitioner, making critical decisions in a high-pressure environment.
The Morning Of
Pre-event excitement
On the morning of the exercise, we were due to register and sign consent forms at 9am. My friends and I met early, around 8:30am, to grab a coffee and chat before everything began. We were filled with nerves, excitement, and a real sense of anticipation.
During registration, we were provided with meal vouchers for refreshments, courtesy of the Salvation Army and the Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience Training and Exercising Unit (SMARTEU). We were then called into the auditorium for our briefing, led by one of our Paramedic Science lecturers, Will Hendry.
The Big Reveal
Emergency scenario
After weeks of anticipation, the scenario was finally revealed. A chemical tanker carrying Dichloromethane had lost control and struck multiple pedestrians outside a swimming centre. The vehicle then collided with a minibus transporting children before continuing through the car park, striking more pedestrians and ultimately crashing into a wall.
Hearing the scenario was nerve-wracking, but I quickly met up with my crewmate, Emma, and we discussed our plan before the incident commenced.
The Incident
Patient treatment
At around 10:15am, the major incident was declared and the exercise began. Shortly after, my radio buzzed—we were one of the first crews on scene.
On arrival, we spoke to a Triage Officer who assigned us to a patient. Emma and I were tasked with treating a paediatric patient who had been struck by the tanker. The patient had multiple injuries, including risks to C-spine, a flail chest (two or more rib fractures in two or more places) and abrasions to the arms and legs.
We calmly worked through our trauma assessment and treatment plan. Around ten minutes in, a HELIMED doctor approached us for a handover. The patient was declared time-critical and required immediate transfer to resus'. With the support of additional crews, we extricated the patient and transported her to safety.
From the incident to hospital environment
The upper floor of UWS Lanarkshire Campus, Building 3 had been transformed into a simulated hospital environment, complete with a reception desk, waiting room, resus' beds, and a minor injuries unit.
It was a great experience handing over to a University of Glasgow medical student Doctor, who listened attentively and created a calm environment, allowing me to deliver a clear and structured handover.
After handing over the patient, we returned to the scene to support other crews with treatment and extrication. After nearly three hours on scene, the exercise came to an end.
Refuelling and Restocking
Once the exercise finished, my friends and I used our meal vouchers for hot rolls and coffee while reflecting on the experience. It was great to hear about the different patients everyone had treated and the approaches they had taken.
I felt incredibly proud of myself and was happy with the care Emma and I provided. It was reassuring to see that all the preparation and scenario work had paid off.
After lunch, we returned to the Paramedic Science flex space to restock equipment bags, which took a long while given how much kit had been used. We then headed back to the auditorium for a multi-agency debrief at around 3pm. This gave students, staff, and all participating services the opportunity to discuss what went well and what could be improved. It was encouraging to hear such positive feedback from everyone involved.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the Highland Mist Mass Casualty Training Exercise.
I feel this experience has prepared me well for managing large-scale incidents in the future—both as a third-year student and as a registered paramedic.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Paramedic Science team for making this event possible. The level of planning, organisation, and dedication involved is something truly special and not widely offered at other universities.
I am also incredibly grateful to have such supportive friends on the course—Lauren, Iona, Morgan, and Kerris who stand by my side, especially on challenging days such as Major Incident Day. We were all extremely nervous, but we supported each other every step of the way and made the most of an unforgettable experience.
Find out more about studying Paramedic Science
Sophie, BSc Paramedic Science student
Last updated: 16/06/2026