When Seconds Count: Inside UMFST-UMCH’s Disaster Medicine Training

Stepping into the world of disaster medicine under the guidance of Dr. Claus-Robin Fritzemeier, Senior Physician in Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Mettmann.

At the UMFST-UMCH campus in Hamburg, Dr. Claus-Robin Fritzemeier, Senior Physician in Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Mettmann, transformed the lecture hall into a crisis zone, offering students a unique hands-on insight for his Elective Lecture “Disaster Medicine” from October, 10.-11. 2025.

At the UMFST-UMCH campus in Hamburg, Dr. Claus-Robin Fritzemeier, Senior Physician in Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Mettmann, transformed the lecture hall into a crisis zone during his Elective Lecture “Disaster Medicine”, held on October 10–11, 2025, offering students a unique, hands-on insight into the field.

Dr. Fritzemeier, an expert in emergency medicine and triage, shared experiences from real-life missions giving participants an authentic perspective on the pressures and priorities of medical crisis response. His mantra, “Make decisions in seconds and set priorities,” set the tone for two days of intensive learning and simulation.

Through practical exercises and realistic case studies, students explored how to manage large-scale emergencies such as mass casualty incidents, traffic accidents, and natural disasters, as well as less dramatic but equally challenging situations like infectious outbreaks in nursing homes. A highlight of the training was the in-depth focus on triage, determining who receives care first when resources are limited.

Dr. Fritzemeier brought this vital skill to life through vivid, interactive scenarios that tested both knowledge and composure.

The two-day elective equipped UMFST-UMCH students with more than theoretical understanding. It strengthened their ability to think, act, and lead decisively in high-stakes situations. By bringing real-world experience into the classroom, UMFST-UMCH continues to set a benchmark for practical, experience-based medical education that prepares future doctors to stay calm when it matters most.