Stawell Aerodrome hosts training exercise

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On Wednesday 23 October, brigade members from Stawell, Halls Gap, Dadswells Bridge and Pomonal responded with Victoria Police, VICSES and Ambulance Victoria to a report of an aircraft collision at Stawell Aerodrome. 

 

Thankfully, it was just a training exercise and this collision scenario was designed to test agency procedures and the airfield’s emergency response plan. The exercise was also used to encourage interagency communication at incidents with multiple responders, and to test the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC) arrangements.

When crews arrived on scene, they were confronted with a collision between a water bomber and a small passenger aircraft with 10 people on board. The collision had also caused a grass and scrub fire on the airport verge that needed to be extinguished.

Deputy Group Officer Peter Jackman was the CFA Agency Controller.

“The exercise was extremely beneficial, especially getting familiar with the airfield and being comfortable holding EMTs,” Peter said. 

“I can see how effective EMTs would be in my area where Dadswells Bridge Fire Brigade often responds to truck crashes or fires with all agencies attending.”

A debrief was held after the event and all agreed there were many benefits from the exercise. A more formal debrief will be held with the exercise organisers in the coming weeks and any lessons fed back through MEMPC.

Special thanks to the drama class at Stawell High School that provided casualties for the exercise.

 

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Submitted by Tony Miles, Commander District 16