PLEASE NOTE: Vision and images can be downloaded via Hightail https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/07zUHpMefU
More than 50 emergency personnel have had their skills tested at a simulated plane crash exercise in the Southern Highlands over the weekend.
On Saturday, Exercise Byrne – led by NSW Police – was run with the aim at enhancing the multi-agency response and preparedness to a simulated aircraft crash, during bushfire operations.
The scenario simulated a small aircraft which experienced mechanical failure, before conducting an emergency landing and crash at the Mittagong Aero Club Airfield.
Emergency services, including NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Ambulance were tested to retrieve a number of trapped people while overcoming a number of risks, including fire and hazardous materials.
The Hume Police District Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie said the exercise is critical to ensuring agencies can respond effectively to complex emergencies.
"This type of scenario presents significant risks, including fire, fuel hazards and serious injury, particularly in a busy bushfire environment. Exercises like this ensure all agencies can work together seamlessly to protect life, property and the environment during real emergencies," Chief Inspector Bernie said.
"This exercise was chosen as the region is no stranger to bushfire emergencies, and this airstrip is used by the Rural Fire Service to refuel during bushfire emergencies. The aim is to make the exercise as real as possible, to ensure the skills learnt can be easily transferred into a major operation. "
At the conclusion of the scenario, a debrief was conducted with all agencies.
