*Photos by Johan Hallberg-Campbell
The Canadian Red Cross Emergency Response Unit (ERU) sprung into action this week. It wasn't in response to a disaster, but rather as part of an intensive training exercise held in Ontario. That means tents, medical equipment and a roster of Red Cross aid workers known as delegates ranging from medical professionals to administrative and logistical staff were deployed, as they would in a real-life scenario.
Training is important because it allows all the delegates to work together to set up the field hospital, take part in exercises, debrief and learn from the experience. It included a simulation of an incident involving mass casualties, where volunteers played the part of injured people in need of emergency medical assistance.
In international disasters, the Canadian Red Cross ERU can be deployed within 48 hours. Find out more here.