The Kent J. Weber Emergency Response Training and Simulation Center is now operational adjacent to the Tidewater EMS Council and Hampton Roads MMRS offices at 6353 Center Drive, Norfolk, Virginia.

Mission

Provide a safe, controlled and low stress environment for doctors, nurses, EMS, public health, fire, law enforcement, emergency management, public officials and other medical and public safety responders to learn and practice a range of professional emergency response skills utilizing state-of-the-art teaching tools and methodologies.

"To err is human" is the title of a 2000 Institutes of Medicine report. The report says that, using conservative figures, more people die each year as a result of medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDs.  Medical errors, the report emphasizes, can be prevented.

Simulation training helps perfect knowledge and skills, and may help prevent risks and medical errors. The training promotes team work and participation.

Consequence-free learning. The center provides a safe but realistic environment for repetitive skill and knowledge practice. Learners can make mistakes "here" to improve skills and knowledge used "out there".

Please contact us to schedule your training or to discuss your training needs.

The Kent J. Weber Emergency Response and Simulation Center Features two SimMan^TM (Laerdal) high fidelity adult manikins with fully computerized control and audiovisual interactive capability; a high fidelity SimBaby^TM manikin to help participants develop expertise in pediatric and infant based scenarios; plus a number of Intubation and defibrillation ready Laerdal ALS skill trainer manikins. Advanced resuscitation equipment, medications, medical gases, overhead lighting, a variety of realistic background scenes and computer imaging display capabilities are some of the elements incorporated into the design of the Center. An audiovisual system incorporates professional recording and editing capabilities to create educational materials for remote and off-line learning. Teams or individuals alternate viewing and participating in scenarios which are followed by video-based debriefing to facilitate discussion and evaluation of performance and to highlight educational objectives.

The Tidewater EMS Council Board of Directors named the Center in honor of Kent J. Weber who represents the City of Virginia Beach on the Board and who serves as the organization's Treasurer. The Board recognized Mr. Weber’s effort in helping to secure this present location for the Council, including the spaces available to allow for the new simulation center, and also for his continuous efforts on behalf of EMS in the region and the Commonwealth of Virginia for more than 30 years.

The Center is made possible with funding provided by the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, Eastern Region (HRSA grant), the Virginia Office of EMS Rescue Squad Assistance Grant program and donations of equipment and supplies by Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Medical Center, Norfolk Fire Rescue, Portsmouth Fire Rescue, Suffolk Fire Department, Sentara Medical Transport and all future contributors.

Kent J. Weber Emergency Response Training and Simulation Center Development Photo Gallery

In June 2005, TEMS staff members were invited to visit the Laerdal Simulation Center in Gatesville, Texas. This trip included a visit to Temple College to view their state-of-the-art training facility and it use of simulation at a teaching tool. Pictures from both the Laerdal facility and the facility at Temple College can be viewed below.  Since then staff have traveled from Florida to Pennsylvania to tour similar facilities. We are using these experiences and lesson's learned from all over the country to ensure that the Kent J. Weber Emergency Response Training and Simulation Center is one of the finest simulation centers in the United States.

SimBaby on infant warmer at Laerdal factory.	SimBaby set up at Laerdal factory.	SimBaby set up with computer control unit (on right) at Laerdal factory.	Main simulation control room at Laerdal factory.	Main simulation control room at Laerdal factory.	View through one way glass into simulation lab from main simulation control room at Laerdal factory.	SimMan in patient care setting.
SimMan in patient care setting.	Delivery simulator in patient care setting.	Trauma Kelly in patient care setting.	SimMan in Emergency Room setting. Glass window on the left leads to simulation control room.

Tidewater EMS Council   Hampton Roads MMRS