WILLEMSTAD - On Thursday July 23, the Radiotherapy department of the Curaçao Medical Center started a 5-day intensive training program for the fire brigade, regarding radiation protection and safety in the hospital. Curaçao Medical Center is the only hospital in the region to offer training at this level that prepares external emergency services to deal with radioactive sources during an emergency. The training is currently taking place between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm on the east side of the hospital. The eastern entrance to the building is closed for the indicated time. Those visiting the hospital can enter the building via the parking garage or via the western entrance. CMC assures the public that there is no need to worry about seeing fire trucks, because it concerns training.
CMC uses radioactive materials and equipment that produce radiation when conducting cancer treatments and must ensure that all concerned are adequately trained in case of emergency. CMC clinical physicist, Omar Luis Arias Curatolo, has designed a detailed training program for the emergency services, in this case the firefighters. This, to prepare them and raise awareness of the specific hazards and risks associated with radiology-related emergencies and how they should respond when in the vicinity of specific installations at the time of an emergency.
These types of emergencies are not common, yet basic radiation protection training is required. During the training, professionals will also practice based on the personal characteristics of the staff of different teams. These include communication skills, leadership and analytical skills, multitasking skills and the ability to work under intense stress. In the hospital, a complete scenario is presented with the emergency services and fire trucks to make the training appear as real as possible. CMC underlines that the public need not worry when they see fire trucks at CMC. It is a training that takes place with the aim of ensuring safety.