A university campus was transformed into an emergency village to launch two innovative degrees recently.
More than 25 emergency vehicles, including a helicopter and a boat were pressed into use at the University of Wolverhampton.
The event launched two higher degrees, an MSc Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response and a Postgraduate Certificate in the Management of Passenger Transport Emergency Incidents.
The new courses have been developed with input from industry experts and aim to equip emergency and passenger transport professionals with the skills to deal with major incidents, such as accidents or terrorist attacks. Both courses will be delivered by the University’s School of Health and Wellbeing from April 2012.
The Management of Passenger Transport Emergency Incidents course has been developed by retired BTP superintendent Willie Baker, who has personally been involved with a number of major rail incidents. Mr Baker will help deliver the courses.
He has worked closely with the Institution of Railway Operators and Confederation of Passenger Transport to identify industry requirements. Students have 12 months to complete the three modules.
These cover all aspects of passenger emergency incidents including communications, planning and risk.
The emergency equipment and vehicle zone in use at the university on the day of the launch included an Air Ambulance helicopter, a Severn Area Response Association boat, a front-line fire engine from West Midlands Fire Service, a West Midlands Ambulance Service motorcycle and rapid response car as well as several vehicles from the WM Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response team.
Professor Linda Lang, Dean of the School of Health and Wellbeing said, ‘These two courses have been developed with significant service and industry input and are aimed at equipping emergency planning professionals and managers, including the emergency services and the passenger transport industry, with enhanced skills to effectively prepare and deal with major incidents.
‘We’re delighted to be hosting such a high profile event to officially launch the two qualifications and look forward to welcoming colleagues from the relevant sectors.’
Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said, ‘This exciting new programme draws together the unique partnerships that the University of Wolverhampton has established.’
