SAVES Doctor, Ambulance and Fire crews work together on a major incident exercise
A major incident occurs when the type of incident and/or the number of casualties exceeds the ordinarily available resources and requires an extraordinary degree of input from the emergency services. Examples include multiple vehicle road traffic accidents, large rail incidents and terrorism attacks.
Somerset has been fortunate to be spared a major incident for many years but the emergency services have to be constantly prepared for any possible event. Other immediate care schemes around the country have fulfilled crucial roles at such incidents and SAVES doctors were put on standby on the day of the London bombings in 2005.
SAVES is involved in planning for this type of incident and holds joint exercises with the other emergency services. Several of the doctors have undergone specific training in the management of major incidents and are accredited as Medical Commanders who would work alongside Ambulance Commanders to manage the medical resources at the scene of a major incident and liaise with receiving hospitals.