Volunteers from around the state converged on Wallington last weekend for a multi-agency exercise hosted by the Bellarine Unit of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES).
Representatives from VICSES, Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance and other support agencies and businesses attended Exercise Mabon on Sunday, May 18.
The exercise simulated a major traffic incident at a fictional food and wine festival, involving a collision between a 53-seat passenger bus and a delivery truck.
Participants practised a coordinated emergency response, including casualty triage and extrication, hazardous material management and the establishment of command-and-control structures.
VICSES Bellarine Unit training deputy controller Rachel Vella said the cooperation and professionalism displayed throughout the exercise was “outstanding”.
“Exercises like Mabon are vital to ensure that when real emergencies occur, we have the systems, communication, and relationships in place to respond effectively and save lives when real emergencies occur,” Ms Vella said.
“Exercise Mabon provided a highly realistic exercise environment, allowing agencies to work together under pressure, test procedures, and identify areas for improvement.”
CFA acting chief officer Garry Cook AFSM said Exercise Mabon was a “valuable learning experience” for the participating emergency responders.
“It is vital we work as one, and any opportunity to work alongside our counterparts is positive,” Mr Cook said.
“Not only does it further enhance our teamwork, communication, and leadership at a response, but it also allows the familiarisation of our respective tools and processes.”
“The exercise… will only improve our ability to respond in the event of an emergency in the future and ultimately protect the community.”
VICSES thanked all participating agencies, facilitators, volunteers and the local community for their support in making the exercise a success.
