Exercise sharpens agencies’ emergency response

EMERGENCY management specialists responded to a mock scenario of bushfires around Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast Shire last week as they put their skills to the test in a multi-agency training exercise.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and the CFA co-ordinated the October 22 exercise at the Geelong Incident Control Centre in North Geelong, testing the processes and procedures that would be used in a real bushfire emergency.

About 25 representatives from government agencies, including FFMVic, CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria, the SES, Victoria Police and Surf Coast Shire practiced a co-ordinated emergency response.

Several other participants worked remotely, to prepare for the challenges that a COVID environment may create during the fire season.

Participants were presented with a scenario of a high fire danger day on which a series of bushfires broke out in Greater Geelong and Surf Coast areas, with the potential to threaten local communities.

FFMVic Project Leader Emergency Management Mike Harper said the conditions in the scenario would be expected to occur about half a dozen times over summer.

Forming an Incident Management Team (IMT), all participants worked together to lead the emergency response from the Incident Control Centre, directing computer-simulated crews, equipment and resources.

The fires were computer-generated, allowing the IMT will be able to observe the speed and intensity of the bushfires in ‘real time’ on projector screens.

Over the course of the all-day exercise, participants gained experience in evacuation planning, using warning systems and arranging traffic management through an exercise management system.

Aviation systems were also tested, as participants organised aircraft to gather intelligence, deliver resources and suppress fires.

“Through this exercise, we’ll identify any areas for improvement in our knowledge, equipment and processes, as we step up our preparations to keep communities safe over summer,” Mr Harper said.

“This training gives our people a similar experience to responding to a real emergency that is threatening lives and homes – allowing them to practice priority setting and decision-making under pressure.”

CFA south west regional commander Peter Creak said the exercise was a way for members across several agencies to come together to hone their skills, and test the systems that they relied heavily on during the bushfire season.

“This year will again see our members called upon in both readiness and response, but given the COVID overlay, our planning will include a range of safety measures to limit close contact between members.”