News

2024.11.29- 12.01 at Hiroshima Port Area

Once again this year, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) held a training exercise aimed at improving the ability to respond promptly and accurately to emergency rescue operations in the event of a large-scale disaster. This year’s training was based on the assumption of an earthquake (maximum intensity 6 upper) with its epicenter in the Akinada – Iyonada – Bungo Suido region, and consisted of drills at sea and on board the ship. From HuMA, a doctor participated as a staff member, and a doctor, a nurse, and a coordinator participated as players.

Activity report from a physician who participated in this training for the first time

About a year has passed since I first participated in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake as a HuMA member. At the time, I had no experience in providing medical support, and I learned a lot by following in the footsteps of my seniors. When I saw the information about the training using a disaster medical support vessel, I made the decision to participate without hesitation. Although I had no previous training experience, I felt that this would be a valuable opportunity for practical learning. From HuMA, a three-member team consisted of myself, a doctor, a nurse, and a paramedic. Normally, I work at a hospital that performs many scheduled surgeries, so my knowledge of disaster medicine was limited. However, the two experienced team members taught me the essentials of preparation, and although I was anxious about my first training, I was determined to absorb everything I could.

Then the day 1 training began. The scenario assumed that the HuMA team would arrive on site on the second day of the disaster. The medical support on board the ship, a unique environment, presented a number of challenges that were different from those encountered during normal land-based training. The first step was to unload medical supplies from the car and carry suitcases into the ship, which has many steep and narrow stairs. While checking the medical equipment and facilities on board, the first anticipated case occurred. A fall from the stairs on board; a call for the HuMA team to be dispatched. The HuMA paramedics decided to carry the patient on their back. Upon closer examination in the medical bay, utilizing the compact x-ray equipment installed on board, the patient was diagnosed with a fracture of the ankle joint. The patient was immobilized with a splint and the case was settled.

Before we could catch our breath, we received an order to assess the remote island evacuation center, and after sending off a patient with a broken bone, we headed to the site by helicopter. At the shelter, there were more patients waiting than expected. While conducting triage, we classified foreign trauma patients, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and dialysis patients, and determined the order of priority for transport. While coordinating the limited means of transport with headquarters, we sought appropriate responses. After the initial triage, we determined the urgency of the situation based on the minimum necessary information, and then the team divided up the workload to repeatedly gather information and monitor changes in the patient’s condition. Patients on standby for transport were administered IV fluids and oral medications with limited resources. There were many occasions when patients suddenly changed between procedures, and we were pressed to secure a place to transport the patient.

The second day of the drill assumed that transport and emergency patient coordination had settled down on the seventh day of the disaster. Materials for setting up the shelter arrived and we began setting up the shelter. With limited materials and taking into consideration the household arrangements of the evacuees, the task was more complicated than we had imagined. We used the knowledge from the BHELP course we had previously taken, and with the advice of those who had experienced the disaster, we drew up a plan and made adjustments while taking into account the needs of the evacuees.

The second day ended with a review with the medical teams from Taiwan and the Philippines. Because of my clinical experience in China and my medical license, I actively communicated with the teams from both countries during breaks. It is not hard to imagine that the relationships built during such training will be of great help at the actual disaster site. Throughout the training, there were many situations in which I was required to play multiple roles as a doctor, and I had to use my imagination to the fullest in an environment that differed from my normal clinical practice, which is something I have little experience in. I feel that it was only with the support of my veteran team members that I was able to successfully complete the training.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

At the closing ceremony, I had the opportunity to give a speech on behalf of HuMA. I was a bit intimidated by the sudden request to make a speech in Chinese, but it was a good experience.

Through this training, we were reminded of the importance of responding to simultaneous injuries and illnesses, assessing needs, properly allocating and directing resources, and gathering and sharing information. In the field, judgment is always required and the situation changes from moment to moment. I keenly realized that the ability to calmly select the most appropriate response in such circumstances is essential. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The experience I gained during the two-day training was so valuable that words cannot fully express it. With gratitude to all the medical personnel and logistics personnel who are still working at many disaster sites, I would like to use this experience to further my practical learning. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​