Associate Professor Brett Aimers

In 2009 the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires devastated Victoria, claiming 173 lives, injuring 414 others and displaced more than 7,500 people. More than 400 separate fires occurred on and after 7 February 2009. Prior to this disaster, the role of Australian nurses in preparing for and responding to a mass casualty burns incident was not fully understood, considered or appreciated.

This presentation will explore the challenges encountered in coordinating a national pre-hospital response to a mass casualty burns incident and, more importantly, the significant leadership, clinical and support roles performed by nurses during this disaster.