Disaster medicine: joint training between the University of Florence, AOUC, and the Fire Department

An educational initiative dedicated to disaster medicine and the healthcare management of mass casualties took place on May 26 and 27 between Florence and Pisa. The event was promoted by the 2nd-level Master’s program in Emergency-Urgency Medicine of the Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine at the University of Florence, coordinated by Prof. Simone Vanni, in collaboration with the medical staff of the Emergency Department of the Careggi University Hospital, directed by Dr. Peiman Nazerian, and the National Fire Corps (Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco).

The program alternated between theoretical lectures and practical activities covering the main aspects of major emergency management, international rescue missions, and healthcare assistance in complex scenarios.

The final day was held at the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) National Training Center, located within the Pisa Fire Department Command area. Here, participants took part in realistic drills in a collapse environment, experiencing firsthand the integration of healthcare expertise and technical rescue skills.

The initiative represents a concrete example of collaboration between the University, the healthcare system, and the Fire Department, aimed at providing advanced training for professionals called upon to operate in emergencies and disasters.