Spend Major Incident Day with Me as a UWS Paramedic Science Student

In this blog, Sophie McLaren, a Paramedic Science student at the University of the West of Scotland, shares her experience of taking part in a large-scale multi-agency mass casualty simulation, showcasing how the exercise helped develop her confidence, clinical skills, and readiness for a future career as a paramedic.

On 21 May 2026, I took part in the University of the West of Scotland’s Highland Mist Mass Casualty Training Exercise. As a second-year student, this is an event we look forward to for many months. The exercise is held annually and involves multiple agencies, including the Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, and many more. It allows Second Year Paramedic Science students, alongside students from other healthcare sectors such as nursing and medicine, to gain hands-on experience in a simulated major incident environment.

This is an event I was aware of when applying to UWS and was something that really drew me to choosing UWS for my studies. My classmates and I spent many weeks preparing, including trauma scenario work, airwave radio training, and command role training.

The Morning Of

On the morning of the exercise, we were due to register and sign consent forms at 9am. My friends and I met early, around 8:30am, to grab a coffee and chat before everything began. We were filled with nerves, excitement, and a real sense of anticipation.

During registration, we were provided with meal vouchers for refreshments, courtesy of the Salvation Army and Smarteu. We were then called into the auditorium for our briefing, led by our Paramedic Science lecturer, Will Hendry.

The Big Reveal

Hearing the scenario was nerve-wracking, but I quickly met up with my crewmate, Emma, and we discussed our plan before the incident commenced.

The Incident

At around 10:15am, the major incident was declared and the exercise began. Shortly after, my radio buzzed—we were one of the first crews on scene.

We calmly worked through our trauma assessment and treatment plan. Around ten minutes in, a HELIMED doctor approached us for a handover. The patient was declared time-critical and required immediate transfer to resus. With the support of additional crews, we extricated the patient and transported her.

The upper floor of Building 3 had been transformed into a simulated hospital environment, complete with a reception desk, waiting room, resus beds, and a minor injuries unit. It was a great experience handing over to a University of Glasgow medical student Doctor, who listened attentively and created a calm environment, allowing me to deliver a clear and structured handover.

After handing over the patient, we returned to the scene to support other crews with treatment and extrication. After nearly three hours on scene, the exercise came to an end.

Refuelling and Restocking

Once the exercise finished, my friends and I used our meal vouchers for hot rolls and coffee while reflecting on the experience. It was great to hear about the different patients everyone had treated and the approaches they had taken.

I felt incredibly proud of myself and was happy with the care Emma and I provided. It was reassuring to see that all the preparation and scenario work had paid off.

After lunch, we returned to the Paramedic Science flex space to restock equipment bags, which took a long while given how much kit had been used. We then headed back to the auditorium for a multi-agency debrief at around 3pm. This gave students, staff, and all participating services the opportunity to discuss what went well and what could be improved. It was encouraging to hear such positive feedback from everyone involved.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the Highland Mist Mass Casualty Training Exercise. It was one of the first times I truly felt like a confident practitioner, making critical decisions in a high-pressure environment.

I feel this experience has prepared me well for managing large-scale incidents in the future—both as a third-year student and as a registered paramedic.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Paramedic Science team for making this event possible. The level of planning, organisation, and dedication involved is something truly special and not widely offered at other universities.

I am also incredibly grateful to have such supportive friends on the course—Lauren, Iona, Morgan, and Kerris who stand by my side, especially on challenging days such as Major Incident Day. We were all extremely nervous, but we supported each other every step of the way and made the most of an unforgettable experience.