Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) recently hosted a ‘final scenario’ for the 999 Academy, where second-year students put their intensive training to the ultimate test in a series of realistic emergency incidents.
The event marked the culmination of a year-long enrichment programme designed to inspire and equip young people for careers in the emergency services.
Over the past academic year, 999 Academy students have honed their knowledge and practical skills through weekly sessions delivered by dedicated professionals from the college, as well as Avon and Somerset Police, South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST), Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and The Coastguard Agency. 
For their final, high-pressure exercise, students worked in pairs, with each assigned individual call-signs, and they rotated between the critical roles of police officer and paramedic.
Through the day, they were dispatched via radio to a carousel of meticulously designed incidents. These included a stop-and-search, a simulated cardiac arrest, a complex road-traffic collision, and a challenging drug overdose scenario.
Each incident demanded quick thinking, effective communication, and the immediate application of their extensive training in real-time.
The final scenario not only provided students with an unparalleled, hands-on experience in applying their acquired skills and professional behaviours within an authentic operational setting but also gave frontline responders the chance to mentor emerging talent.
Doug Hayston, 999 Academy Lead, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the students’ dedication and performance, all culminating in an excellent final scenario day that truly tested everything that they have learned throughout the year.
“A huge thank you to our emergency service partners for making this possible, and I wish all of the students the best in their next steps, no matter where they go – I’m certain some will become essential members of the emergency responder community.”
For more information on the 999 Academy and BTC, visit www.btc.ac.uk or get in touch with the team by emailing info@btc.ac.uk.
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