This week South32 Worsley Alumina hosted a joint training exercise between the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, St John Ambulance and local Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services simulating a real-life scenario of a building collapse.
The Collie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, St John Ambulance and South32 emergency response personnel came together to provide a unique opportunity for members to participate in the training exercise.
The exercise took place at one of South32’s old construction sites where piles of concrete and rubble provided a sizable, life-like, location.
Collie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Captain, Shane Hickson, said the Category 1 Urban Search and Rescue qualification, trains responders with the knowledge and skills to provide an initial response, assessment of the structure and conduct above ground searches.
“We have a rubble pile simulating a building collapse and the guys will learn how to search through the rubble pile. We will have them go through and search the piles looking for people among the rubble who may be trapped and injured and how to rescue them safely, as well as what to do if there are casualties,” Mr Hickson said.
Shire of Collie chief fire control officer Julian Martin said since planning the training there had been a lot of earthquakes down near Lake Muir.
This training is also for plane crashes or car accidents into buildings, building collapses due to fires and terrorist attacks.
- Shire of Collie chief fire control officer Julian Martin
“This training is also for plane crashes or car accidents into buildings, building collapses due to fires and terrorist attacks,” he said.
The pair said they came up with the idea after training was done two years ago and saw an opportunity to refresh and get some of the new volunteers on board.
“Worsley have been great in supporting the emergency services and it’s great for South32 emergency response teams to be able to see this training in action as well,” Mr Martin said.
Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service volunteer firefighter Leticia Craig said it was great to be able to train with the other brigades in the region and maintain working relationships.
I thought it’s better to be equipped in case anything does happen in our local area or in Collie, so if they do need us we are ready to help.
- Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service volunteer firefighter Leticia Craig
“I thought it’s better to be equipped in case anything does happen in our local area or in Collie, so if they do need us we are ready to help,” Ms Craig said.
St John Ambulance Collie paramedic Troy French said it was great to be able to maintain a close working relationship with the volunteer firefighters.
“We have some new volunteers that need to learn how to use the equipment in a real setting and we also wanted to participate to just enhance our own personal working group and our sense of team work and see how well we can communicate and work together,” he said.