Emergency services were called to a car accident on the Hume Freeway between Clonbinane and Wandong at approximately 6.40am Thursday 26 February.
It was reported that people were possibly trapped. When SES arrived, it was discovered he male driver was trapped because he couldn't open the door. The man was freed from the vehicle and taken by ambulance to hospital, with a suspected fractured wrist and ankle. The driver of the other vehicle was uninjured.
Local brigades from Wandong and Clonbinane attended the accident to assist with the clean-up. As the crews were undertaking their task it was noticed that a liquid substance had started to spill from the B trailer of the vehicle. This turned the clean-up into a hazmat response. The complexities of the job soon escalated and the Hume Freeway was closed until 9pm that night.
Shepparton Hazardous Materials unit and Bendigo Personal Protective Equipment van were called to assist along with numerous other resources from neighbouring districts, including the Mernda Rehabilitation unit.
It was the first job for the newly-formed rehabilitation unit which is the initiative of the Mernda brigade. “The purpose of the rehabilitation unit is to provide immediate welfare to our members,” said Captain Jeremy Maires.
It provided firefighters with a place to rest out of the shade with cooling facilities to reduce the stress and fatigue on member’s bodies after they had finished working in splash suits and BA. The unit is in phase 1 at the moment with intentions that phase 2 will comprise a self-contained vehicle the size of a small ambulance incorporating extra welfare resources like a mist fan system. Kilmore member John Scicluna said “it’s fantastic”.
Operations Manager Rob Van Dorsser said, “There was a lot of good work and skills being displayed at this incident, which all members need to be congratulated on”.
Author: Sandra O'Connor