Sioux Falls Fire Rescue is proud to acknowledge the generous support and valuable training being afforded to their personnel by the Simulation in Motion—South Dakota (SIM-SD) project. SIM-SD is a one-of-a-kind mobile educational program designed to bring emergency care training to prehospital and hospital emergency care providers in South Dakota. The project is a partnership including the South Dakota Department of Health, Avera Health, Mobridge Regional Hospital, Rapid City Regional Health, St. Mary’s Healthcare Center, and Sanford Health.

Fire Chief Jim Sideras said, “This training is critical to hone the lifesaving skills of our firefighters. They can see immediately how each medical intervention impacts the patient. This training leads to better patient care and saving lives.”

The training, funded by a grant from The Helmsley Charitable Trust, gives firefighters valuable experience in pediatric medical emergency response. The simulators are so lifelike that trainees are able to use real interventions in a controlled and educational environment.

The simulators offer unique interactive learning opportunities for nurses, paramedics, and EMTs. The training results in a higher and measurable standard of prehospital care for every Sioux Falls Fire Rescue patient. The simulators arrive in a large self-contained truck. The computerized training also uses feedback and allows immediate feedback to the providers.

Sideras added, “We are always looking for the best methods to train our firefighters, and this is the gold standard.”

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue would also like to thank the SIM-SD staff for providing high quality medical training and selflessly using their talents to reach all members of our department.

The next training day is December 1, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Station 3, located at 37th Street and Minnesota Avenue. There will be the opportunity to interview crews, view the equipment in action, and talk to instructors. Members of the media are invited to contact Sioux Falls Fire Rescue for further information.