From Classroom to Crisis Response
KCETB Drives Industry Collaboration with Major Emergency Preparedness Programme at Carlow Institute
Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training recently hosted a large-scale Major Emergency Medical Trauma Exercise, transforming its campus into a highly realistic emergency response environment.
The full-day training event simulated a major road traffic collision and medical emergency scenario, providing students with invaluable, hands-on experience in emergency response coordination and patient care. Participants included students from Emergency Services, Nursing Studies, Make-Up Artistry, and Film Production programmes, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to emergency preparedness.
Martha Bolger, Director of Further Education and Training at KCETB said “Strategic collaboration with industry and frontline public services is central to delivering a further education model that is both responsive and future focused. By embedding real-world, high-impact learning opportunities into our programmes, we ensure that students are not only technically prepared, but operationally competent and adaptable from day one. Initiatives like this exercise demonstrate how co-designed, practice-led education strengthens workforce pipelines and aligns training with regional and national skills priorities. Emergency services represent a critical strategic employer within the region, providing highly skilled, civic-focused careers while underpinning community resilience and safety. By deepening our partnerships with these agencies, we are investing in a sustainable talent pipeline, supporting succession planning, and ensuring that our graduates are equipped to meet the complex, evolving demands of essential public service delivery.”
Principal David Forde acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the event, noting the importance of partnerships between education providers and emergency services in preparing the next generation of responders, “The partnership and collaboration with the National Ambulance service, an Garda Síochana and County Carlow Fire and Rescue Service enriched our students’ experience in a most profound manner, and the support of our work is of immense value to us. A special thanks to Muire Burke and the Emergency Service teaching team, Sara Ashmore and the Make-Up Artistry students, Stewart Kenny and the Film Production students, and Deputy Principal Peter Cleere for developing the event”.
Delivered in close collaboration with key frontline agencies, including the National Ambulance Service, Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service, and An Garda Síochána students operated at Emergency First Responder (EFR) level, managing a wide range of simulated critical injuries and conditions under professional supervision. 
Adding to the realism, Make-Up Artistry students applied specialist effects to replicate traumatic injuries, while Film Production students documented the exercise, capturing key learning moments and operational responses.
Speaking of their involvement in the trauma exercise, Anthony Farrell, Superintendent of an Garda Síochána, Carlow said “Collaboration with partner agencies is a key part of emergency response. Put simply, together we are stronger. I would like to thank the Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training for facilitating the Emergency Service Medical Training Trauma Event to further strengthen connections with partner agencies but also to allow all emergency services platform capacity and competence in dealing with difficult emergency situations. Connecting with younger member of communities with an interest in emergency response develops skills, knowledge and understanding in cultivating the next generation to the uniform service.”
Reflecting on the exercise Tom Gahan of the National Ambulance Service said “I would like to thank all Carlow Institute staff involved for developing the event and involving the National Ambulance Service in this development. I would like to thank all students involved for their professionalism and dedication which was so obvious during the scenarios on the day. It gave them an insight into working with the Gardaí, Fire service and NAS, demonstrating the collaboration and teamwork which takes place between the three services. This in turn may guide the students towards a particular front-line career.”
The initiative highlights the Institute’s ongoing commitment to equipping learners with practical skills and experience aligned with the demands of frontline and allied professions.
This exercise underscores the vital role of experiential learning in further education and demonstrates the strong links between Carlow and Kilkenny’s educational institutions and emergency service providers.
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