Testimonials
The following feedback is collected from real-world simulation exercises with our partners in the emergency services, NHS trusts, and dedicated volunteers across the West Midlands and wider area. Their insights reflect our commitment to life-saving realism and professional training excellence.
First Responders
"A big thank you goes to Elaine and the volunteers from the Casualty Simulation Group. your exceptional role-playing skills, combined with the realistic casualty make-up and injury simulation, contributed greatly to the authenticity of the scenario and undoubtedly enhanced both the experience and learning outcomes for the attending crews and agencies"
Mark, SHROPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
"I first became aware of the existence of the group in approximately 2017 when I was invited to observe a training session being run by a friend and colleague at Fallings Park fire station in the West Midlands. Having been introduced to her earlier in the morning and having wrongly made the assumption that she was one of the cleaning or kitchen staff, little did I know that AJ, the then leader of the group, was to announce that she was leaving the room to go to the toilet but was actually out of nowhere about to role play having a heart attack which then progressed into a cardiac arrest! The element of surprise and the realism with which AJ played the role sent a surge adrenaline through me and those firefighters that were on duty that day as they set about assessing and treating her.
By the end of that day, I knew that I wanted to bring AJ and the team’s skills across to Shropshire Fire and Rescue to really add a new dimension to our training. From the outset in Shropshire the feedback we received from our personnel was that having a live casualty elevated the training to an entirely new level, really focussing the students’ attention on their ability to provide effective casualty care.
The Covid-19 pandemic unfortunately resulted in the relationship being put on hold for obvious reasons, but over the last couple of years the group have once again become pivotal to our training for both our Incident Command and FREC qualifications. Since AJ’s well-deserved retirement, Elaine and Chaz have done a fantastic job in steering the group and are having great success in attracting new members as they expand their footprint to working with more and more organisations. The level of support they have given to our FREC learners this year so far has been unprecedented! Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service can’t thank them all enough for what they do for us!"
Paul, SHROPSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service
"Thank you so much for today, please share our thanks with the group.
the feedback from our team is already glowing for having live casualties. One team actually called it through as a real incident at one point, which says a lot"
Martin, West Mercia Search & Rescue
"We would also like to recognise Elaine and the Casualty Simulation Volunteers. The realism and quality of the casualty role-play added immense value to the exercise, providing our officers with an authentic and challenging environment that truly enhanced learning"
John, West Mercia Police
"We cannot thank the Cas Sim Group enough for making a local exercise for our non-specialised responders that means we can not only test our response but invest in the training of our local staff too!"
Ben, West Midlands Ambulance Service
NHS Teams
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The realism provided by the actors allowed our ED nurse educators to test critical decision-making under intense pressure. Truly invaluable for team development.
Lead Nurse Educator, West Midlands NHS Trust
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Having casualties respond clinically to our interventions makes for a much more effective learning cycle. The quality of moulage is exceptional.
Clinical Lead Paramedic, Regional Ambulance Service
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Highly professional coordination. The simulation group understands the specific teamwork objectives NHS staff need to master during major incidents.
Director of Training, Community Healthcare Lead
Volunteer Perspectives
"Having served in the Fire & Rescue Service at various locations both in the UK and overseas I have attended many exercises which involves Dummies, none of which are realistic. The CSG provide valuable LIVE casualties, which reply to any questions from the responders, be that firefighters, paramedics, or members of the public attending a first aid course.
Acting as injured patients for emergency exercises really helps to improve skills required by our teams, and create realism to any incident we may come across.
So from the staging, acting and the make up, the CSG are the team you need to get that real training incident as real as you can.
I was welcomed into the group CSG as a volunteer, after retiring from 40 years in the Fire and Rescue Service, the team here at CSG provide a fantastic array of services from bystanders, staging the event, to the acting and make up.
We assist all of the emergency services, to create realism into any scenario. I have found myself involved in RTC exercises, terrorist attacks, and even as a homeless person, to name a few.
The feedback given on the debriefs following any exercise, is all positive from the attending crews, all saying how much better it is to have a casualty that can respond to questions that are asked and give the correct signs and symptoms, rather than a label on a dummy.
The responders are able to train on commutation / handling / extraction techniques and all the procedures are tested.
I was fortunate to complete my FREC course with CSG as well, which is a great opportunity, as this allows me to understand the role and responsibility of any responders. As well has benefiting me in my current role as a First Aid instructor".
James, First Aid Trainer
"As a student nurse, the clinical briefings we get before an exercise are high-level. It’s safe, educational, and you really feel part of a professional training team."
Sarah L., Student Nurse
"Volunteering with the West Midlands Casualty Simulation Group has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has helped me build confidence, develop resilience, and stay calm under pressure, while giving me a unique insight into how different emergency services and partner agencies work together.
The group has provided fantastic opportunities to meet like-minded people, develop new skills, and achieve my FREC 3 qualification, equivalent to the basic medical training level undertaken by UK firefighters. I have also been able to develop my special effects (SFX) makeup skills, helping to create realistic casualty simulations that enhance the quality of emergency service training.
What makes this role truly special is knowing that what we do has a real impact. By creating realistic scenarios and casualties, we help prepare emergency responders for the incidents they may face in the real world. Knowing that our contribution could ultimately help save lives is incredibly rewarding and gives a real sense of purpose to everything we do.
I would wholeheartedly recommend the West Midlands Casualty Simulation Group to anyone looking to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and make a genuine difference"