Up to 50 broadcast journalism students recently found themselves at the centre of a major chemical incident in Nottingham. They took part in a simulated training exercise for the emergency services and their supporting agencies.
The second year students from Nottingham Trent University’s Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism were chosen to perform the role of media, testing the response of organisations including Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Nottingham City Council and the NHS health community.
The exercise involved a suspicious chemical incident at the City’s National Ice Centre and Capital FM Arena, with 50 ‘casualties’ being treated by specialist crews in decontamination clothing. The student journalists gathered reports for TV, radio and online bulletins, reporting both from the scene and broadcasting from the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism studios over the day.
Director of the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, Robin Staniforth, said: “This was challenging and very useful training for all the students involved. As journalists, a major incident could happen at any time and they will need to be prepared.”
