INDUSTRY NEWS A cutting-edge rescue simulation centre at the University of Johannesburg is set to transform emergency response training in South Africa. Designed specifically to meet the complex demands of modern rescue scenarios, this facility provides unparalleled training opportunities for emergency personnel. The centre’s development, however, would not have been possible without the advanced lifting solutions incorporated on-site, enabling realistic and rigorous training that mirrors real-world rescue challenges. UJ’s simulation centre, situated at its Doornfontein campus, is a milestone in emergency medical training in Southern Africa. For Connor Hartnady, one of South Africa’s most experienced emergency services and responses
specialists and a lecturer at UJ’s Department of Emergency Medical Care (UJ) it is a dream come true. Addressing the annual LEEASA conference in Johannesburg, Hartnady highlighted the importance and need of such a centre particularly considering the increasing number of natural and man-made disasters around the world “Natural hazards are on the rise, compounded by unsustainable development paths and poorly planned urban growth.
In response, our updated training model emphasises faster, more effective deployment with the right equipment and resources, enabling emergency teams to reach disaster sites promptly and fully prepared.” Hartnady said UJ recognised the urgent need for a dedicated training centre to address the complexities and needs of modern rescue operations. “As an academic institution, we have a responsibility to intervene in the growing disaster landscape. By developing a world-class training environment for future emergency responders, we are able to train skilled professionals who can respond swiftly and effectively to real-life crises,” he explained. “This centre enables us to equip our students with critical handson experience in complex rescue scenarios, preparing them to save lives and manage risks in any situation.” The project received a R25 million macro infrastructure grant from the Department of Higher Education, enabling UJ to design and construct a rescue facility tailored to its
INDUSTRY NEWS
UJ launches SA’s first advanced rescue simulation centre
unique requirements. The centre serves as a critical resource for the university’s one-year and two-year emergency medical programmes, the flagship four-year bachelor’s degree in Emergency Medical Care, and advanced postgraduate degrees, including a master’s and doctoral programme. This state-of-the-art facility is not only designed for students but also accommodates short learning programmes and specialised rescue training, contributing to the enhancement of emergency response across Southern Africa. A multi-phased, advanced training environment The project began in 2015 and has had to overcome significant hurdles over the years, including space constraints, funding challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic and fluctuations in material costs. After facing numerous delays, including an increase in steel prices and difficulties with contractor turnover, the project is being tackled in phases with the first phase completed this year. The Centre has been designed to cater for teaching, learning, assessment and research of a multitude of specialised rescue disciplines. The four-storey structure includes a five-metredeep pool for aquatic rescue and survival training, helicopter underwater egress/escape training (“and dive rescue. Fifteen metres above the pool, a helicopter fuselage suspended on a gantry crane allows for both “wet” and “dry” hoist training. It can also be adapted to provide a platform for safety training around rotorwing aircraft and patient care within the confines of a helicopter. Within the basement of the structure, an urban search and rescue area with space for configurable confined space tunnel systems, sacrificial concrete slabs, technical search props, shoring jigs and heavy lifting props has been created. Another three-metre-deep concrete trench simulator will provide a safe area for the teaching of trench rescue. Hartnady said phase two, expected by early next year, will introduce
the aviation and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) capabilities, and phase three will expand training to cover offshore survival and SAMSA maritime rescue. Engineering ingenuity The Centre’s engineering features are groundbreaking, especially its helicopter rescue simulator, said Ronleigh du Raan, a crane designer and project manager. The simulator integrates an overhead gantry crane capable of lifting and rotating a helicopter fuselage, enabling trainees to practise realistic emergency scenarios with lifelike dynamics. “The helicopter rescue simulator is a unique design, built not just for standard crane tasks but for specialised loadhandling and full rotation,” du Raan explained. Engineered with a Safe Working Load (SWL) of 4 tonnes, it incorporates essential safety features such as emergency brakes, down-draft fans to simulate rotor effects and a mechanism for realistic 360° rotation. Constructed from a donated Airbus AS365 fuselage, the simulator can carry up to four people and replicates both dry and wet rescue conditions. This allows responders to practise crucial skills like safe entry, exit, hoisting, and landing, all under authentic conditions. “The simulator isn’t just a crane,” said du Raan. “It’s designed for both conventional lifting and airborne, underwater rescue simulations. With multiple attachment points, it can support a range of training needs, providing an experience that
builds confidence and prepares students for diverse real-world rescue situations.” The crane features a swivel crab arrangement with a 15.5m span, achieving maximum speeds of 31 m/s for long travel, 24 m/s for cross travel, and 8 m/s for hoisting. Given its role in personnel lifting, the crane’s structure, crab and hoists are built with a higher safety factor than standard cranes of the same SWL. Its crab includes dual hoists, each using a 2X2/1 reeving setup, and the ropes securing the swivel crab arrangement are independently anchored to enhance safety. In the event of a rope failure, the load remains supported by the remaining three ropes. Electrical and compressed air are fed from the crane’s crab to the swivel arrangement via cable reel drums, powering the slew drive, down-draft fans, and HUET control, enabling a comprehensive, controlled training environment. LEEASA director and engineer, Francois Weideman, said from the outset of the project it was important to identify risk. “Risk management was imbedded into the desigh from the start to foresee and address potential hazards, from structural integrity to operator safety. The project has employed meticulous planning, quantification of risks and strict adherence to safety standards.”
University of Johannesburg, +27 (0) 11 559 4555, mylife@uj.ac.za, www.uj.ac.za