Responders: CFA firefighters Andrew Tierney, Sam Grant, Luke Shearer, Ron Hotchin, Trevor Roberts and Sam Maiolo join forces with Leading Senior Constables Phil Smith and Andrew Osborne ahead of next week’s exercise. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 54726
EMERGENCY services workers will put their skills to the test for the second time in days when they rush to a mock “major” disaster at Corio’s Shell refinery next week.
A spokesperson for the refinery said police, CFA and refinery staff would all be involved in the surprise test.
None would be aware of the scale or precise timing of the hypothetical incident until the last minute, the spokesperson said.
“The organisations’ emergency responders and their actions will be observed during the exercise with the aim of sharpening the skills of those involved and closing any planning or implementation gaps found during the event.”
The spokesperson said the refinery would close its access road and sound sirens during the exercise.
Organisers would broadcast messages on radio in the unlikely event of the real thing flaring while the mock disaster was underway.
“If there are no messages on local radio or if not instructed by the police or emergency services, the community does not need to take action,” the spokesperson said.
Emergency services staff went through a similar exercise at Avalon Airport on Tuesday.
The Avalon “worst-case scenario” exercise included plane passengers with mock injuries and a media conference about an aircraft crash.
