Defence Online

Iqarus Immersive Training Centre

Homeland September 21, 2016

Innovative centre trains medics with Hollywood magic

A new training centre has opened in Hereford, which is designed to put front-line professionals through their paces in high-risk, high-pressure situations using ground-breaking training technology.

The 8,000sq ft centre will put medics in a variety of situations to help them to work in high-risk, high-pressure situations, allowing them to improve medical proficiency and physical and mental resilience in remote and hostile environments.

The centre uses Hollywood like ‘sets’ to create environments for the trainees to work in, these include: an active shooter on the loose in a small English town, where casualties must be treated, another in Afghanistan, and a UN envoy working for the British government is surrounded by sympathisers to the Islamist group IS.

From climatic extremes to post-conflict zones, the new Immersive Training Centre combines carefully replicated street scenes, professional actors, sound, weather and other special effects to provide first-hand experience of saving lives in high-stress locations, from a close protection rescue under fire, to a mass casualty incident in the chaos of a crowded city.

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Specifically designed for use by international emergency and rescue services, NGOs and the defence, health, security and energy sectors, the Iqarus centre is the first of its kind in Europe.

Ged Healy, Executive Director of Training and Development at Iqarus believes the best way to improve front-line training is to replicate the intense pressures that responders will face. He commented: “It is one set of skills to work efficiently when confronted with a life-threatening injury. It’s another to keep your focus and perform effectively in a life-threatening situation.

“At Iqarus, we train thousands of people every year, many of whom work in mission-critical environments where even minor incidents can have major consequences. We know that the most effective training experience is a realistic experience. By combining battle-tested medical protocols with cutting-edge technologies, we’ve taken real-life simulation to a new level, creating the challenges of environmental extremes in a low-risk training space.”

“It’s the most realistic training facility anywhere in Europe, and so far the feedback is extremely good.”

The dynamic environment includes state-of-the-art cameras and a two-way communications system allowing trainees to work independently, without the support or intrusion of an instructor.

Bespoke training environments, with any scenario, anywhere in the world can be created at the centre, every detail has been considered from the language on the labels in the ‘shop’ to the mulch on the rain forest floor.

Facilities include:

• Desert, jungle and arctic training rooms with simulated weather conditions and sound effects
• A street scene with collapsed, two-story building, with explosive special effects, dust and smoke
• A changeable street scene which transports users from Europe to the Middle East, and beyond
• A burnt-out building with collapsed upstairs and flooding area
• Realistic home structure with false wall, escape hatch and tunnel
• Area for road traffic collision simulation
• Stereo surround speakers with four sound zones
• Professional actors and accurate and realistic prosthetics
• Overhead drones and HD CCTV throughout.

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Europe Iqarus IS medics NGO Training

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.