Supporting frontline Ambulances
60 British Army soldiers in Wales are training to prepare to support the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) in the battle against the coronavirus outbreak
The British Army soldiers, drawn from units allocated to Joint Military Command Wales, are learning the skills needed to assist the Welsh Ambulance Service with non-clinical tasks during emergency situations.
They are being taught how to use various pieces of equipment, including training on how to use a bag valve mask (BVM) which is a hand-held device used to provide ventilation to patients who are not breathing or not breathing adequately.
These 60 soldiers are just a few of the 20,000 men and women supporting the UK’s response to coronavirus, who have been called upon due to their specialist skill-set and military experience.
· Military Aid to Civil Authorities: The COVID Support Force
The men and women on this tasking will assist paramedics with non-clinical tasks and drive the ambulance when required to allow paramedics to deliver clinical care to patients.
This training will take place at the Sennybridge Training Camp in Wales.
Military personnel are also working in the Welsh Government’s Emergency Co-ordination Centre and in Wales’ four regional Local Resilience Forums providing planning support.
